YMP men stand tall at top of the table

SET TO PASS: GMC Kowhai’s Jordan Oliver (left) prepares to pass as GMC Gold’s Sharon Bramwell applies pressure in a game Kowhai won 4-1. Picture by Paul Rickard

HOCKEY

YMP reinforced their status as the team to beat in premier men’s hockey this season when they handed out another solid defeat to arch-rivals and defending champions THC at the weekend.

YMP A won 6-3, Jereme Taylor scoring a hat-trick and Kohere Tupara, a brace.

“Michael Bond from YMP told me after the game the key for them was to start strongly, which they did, scoring a couple of goals early,” hockey commentator Tony Scragg said.

THC came back at them in the final quarter but it was too little too late.

“Does this signal a changing of the guard at the top of men’s hockey here? You have to say that’s on the cards,” Scragg said.

The 5-0 defeat Ben Holden Fencing Ngatapa handed out to Gisborne Girls’ High School was another highlight of the weekend’s play.

Jamie Humphreys was the chief destroyer for Ngatapa, with four goals.

“The girls scored a goal in each of the first three quarters and two in the last,” Scragg said.

“It was a convincing performance.

“Jamie, who is coming back from a serious leg injury last season, is really starting to find her confidence again.”

JNL Paikea gave the top YMP women’s team a good run for their money. The scoreline of 3-0 to YMP was a credit to how well Paikea competed.

“It was good to see Paikea keep it to three goals,” Scragg said.

“Several key players were missing from the YMP side, but for Paikea the result would have helped their goal difference.”

GMC Kowhai retained their unbeaten status in the bottom half of the women’s competition, defeating GMC Gold 4-1.

“Kowhai just keep being the pinnacle team in that second half of the women’s competition,” Scragg said.

The Masters gave their clubmates in the Lytton B team a good battle, too, before the B team emerged 3-1 winners.

“It was a good clash,” Scragg said.

“The B team scored twice in the first quarter and that laid the foundation for their win. But the Masters kept plugging away.

“Aiden Scragg scored the Masters’ goal.

“That evened up the goalscoring stakes in our household. It’s one each this season now.”

Gisborne Boys’ High looked a better team as they beat YMP B 4-1.

Kyle Hannah scored a brace in a solid all-round performance by the students.

In the women’s competition, YMP B were too strong for a gallant Te Aowera, beating them 9-0.

“That result sends a statement through to GMC Kowhai that they can take nothing for granted when it comes to winning the second half of the women’s competition.”

Detailed results —Senior women: Ben Holden Fencing Ngatapa 5 (Jamie Humphreys 4, Katie Herries) Amber Dental Gisborne Girls’ High School 0. YMP A 3 (Morgan Tuhou, Maia Rickard, Phoebe Bint) JNL Paikea 0. YMP B 9 (Mel Knight 4, Huia Brown 3, Samantha Durston, Leith Seymour) Te Aowera 0. GMC Kowhai 4 (Megan Allen 2, Sacha Burns 2) GMC Gold 1 (Sharon Bramwell).

Senior men: Lytton Old Boys B 3 (Herman Fourie, Cole Manson, Oscar Ruston) LOB Masters 1 (Aiden Scragg). Gisborne Boys’ High School 4 (Kyle Hannah 2, Oliver Cranefield, Eric Taylor) YMP B 1 (Lyle Taylor). YMP A 6 (Jereme Taylor 3, Kohere Tupara 2, Josh Cousins) THC 3 (Hoera Mohi 2, Piri Orotaunga).