YMP set benchmark

ALL in a tangle: It was a case of locking sticks literally for YMP’s Moelani Tureia (left) and GMC Green’s Amy England as Anita Stewart reaches across in Poverty Bay women’s club hockey action from Saturday. Tureia and her teammates came away victorious over the defending champions, 4-1. Club hockey wrap with results on page 25. Picture by Paul Rickard

HOCKEY

Defending women’s champions GMC Green lost to arch-rivals YMP while Waituhi men drew with YMP (1) in highlights of Week 3 of the Poverty Bay senior club hockey competition.

YMP women were 4-1 victors over previously unbeaten GMC on the turf at Harry Barker Reserve.

“It was a close tussle to start with,” hockey commentator Tony Scragg said. “There was nothing in it in the first quarter. But once YMP got on the scoreboard they were never going to let go of their lead despite GMC throwing everything at them

“It was an excellent win for YMP and set the benchmark in the women’s competition. Everyone will have to lift their games to compete with them.”

YMP’s goals were shared by Morgan Tuhou, Courtney Onekawa, Lucy McHugh and Hinekahukura Brooking while Lea-Ana Fleming struck for GMC.

Waituhi’s 4-all draw with YMP in the Covid Cup men’s competition was as the score suggests — a thriller.

“Waituhi were up by three goals but they let YMP back into it in the final quarter,” Scragg said. “But it was a fantastic result for the men’s competition and goes to show just how close it is going to be.”

Dillon Dolman-Tuhou scored all four of Waituhi’s goals while James Torrie nabbed a hat-trick for YMP.

Gisborne Girls’ High were relentless against Te Aowera in a 14-0 whitewash, including four goals to Chloe Carrington and a triple to Brooke Brown.

“TA played the whole game without a goalkeeper so the score could have been a lot higher,” Scragg said. “The students missed a lot of opportunities so well done to TA.

“The win will bolster Girls’ High’s differential, which could be crucial at the end of the round.”

Paikea were also in goalscoring mode as they found the back of the net 13 times to GMC Kowhai’s four.

“Paikea were out to a four-goal lead before Kowhai scored,” Scragg said. “Kowhai made a slight comeback but in the second half Paikea played a great passing game and scored some fantastic goals.”

Jo Cumming picked up four goals and there were hat-tricks apiece to Laura Matthew and Lisa Gill.

Ngatapa were 5-0 winners over Waituhi in the other women’s game.

“Both sides started slowly and Ngatapa were up by only one at halftime,” Scragg said. “But a blitz of goals in the second half sealed the win for them.”

In the other men’s games, Gisborne Boys’ High School went home happy after tipping Lytton Old Boys NZ Fruits 2-1 on Saturday night.

“Boys’ High played fantastic hockey, “ Scragg said. “They threw everything at LOB and managed to come away with a well-deserved victory.

“Unfortunately the lights failed with five minutes to play so the game was stopped. Credit to LOB for handing the win to Boys’ High at that point.”

Austin Fergus and Luke McLeod scored for the students and Owen Vickers for LOB.

The other men’s game ended 5-3 to YMP (2) over LOB Masters.

“It was a really good match — goal for goal until the last quarter when YMP stretched their lead and took control.”

YMP’s goalscoring efforts were headed by Kohere Tupara with a hat-trick.