YMP signal intent

GOING TO GROUND: Gisborne Boys’ High School’s Jack Willock (left) goes to ground trying to play the ball as Lytton Old Boys’ David Levy takes evasive action in club hockey on the turf at Harry Barker Reserve on Saturday. Picture by Paul Rickard

HOCKEY

THE YMP women’s hockey team signalled firm and clear intent in their match with defending champions GMC Green at the weekend.

They have their eyes on the prize — the A Grade women’s championship.

YMP won 5-0 with a brace of goals to Mel Knight and others scored by Toni Halley, Maia Rickard and Nancy Tarawa on the Hain Farming Turf at Harry Barker Reserve.

“They were up 2-0 at halftime, which meant GMC were still in the match,” hockey commentator Tony Scragg said.

“But YMP scored twice in the third quarter and put the final nail in the coffin with their fifth goal in the final period.

“The result says to the other teams, ‘We are setting the standard, you need to catch us’.”

Ngatapa also had a strong result in the women’s A Grade, defeating Amber Dental Gisborne Girls’ High School 7-3.

“That result shocked quite a few people,” Scragg said.

“Girls’ High were without their regular goalkeeper, which might have affected the score.

“But you have to say Ngatapa took full advantage of the opportunity and won well.”

In the men’s competition, Lytton Old Boys NZ Fruits beat Gisborne Boys’ High School 8-0.

“There was only a goal in it after the first quarter and it looked like the students might test the Fruits.

“But four goals in the second quarter put the Fruits on top, and they showed what a form team they are at the business end of the season,” Scragg said.

Waituhi were too good for LOB Masters. Graham Edmonds and Tegan Brown each scored a brace as Waituhi won the match 7-1, Sam Han netting for the Masters.

“Waituhi look to be hot favourites heading into the quarterfinals this weekend in the men’s B Grade

“It was great to see our principal turf sponsor get on the scoresheet.”

The women’s B Grade wins went the way of Paikea and GMC Kowhai.

Paikea bounced back from defeat with a 2-0 win against Waituhi.

“It was certainly not a convincing scoreline from Paikea but they’ll take the points,” Scragg said.

GMC Kowhai were all over Te Aowera, winning 12-1.

“Kowhai have certainly found their form at the right end of the season,” Scragg said.

“It has moved them into second place with a second life in the playoffs.

“That result must make Paikea and Waituhi very wary.”

(Jaime Tombleson 3, Briar Hunter 2, Kate Pahina, Ruby Adams) (Brooke Brown, Tiari Pepere, Jayha Egan); (Mel Knight 2, Toni Halley, Maia Rickard, Nancy Tarawa) .

(Jo Cumming, Taimania Clark); (Erana Taiapa) (Charlene Leach 4, Arna Searle 4, Georgia Craig 2, Emma Seymour, Amber Dempsey).

(Sean Wills 2, Liam Melville 2, Aaron Whitehead, Matt Skuse, David Melville, Oliver Shivnan).

(Graham Edmonds 2, Tegan Brown 2, Oren Wharepapa, Tiare Tuhou, Hone Kewa Pewhairangi) (Sam Hain).

The quarterfinals start this weekend for the seniors.

(Alesha Batisaresare 2, David Levy); (Connor Isaac, Zarneo Baker, Charlie Brown) (Jarred Knight, Charlie Henry) (by default).