YMP through, GMC Green now play Paikea

CLOSE GAME: Gisborne Girls’ High School’s Heni-Kamaia Thompson (right) tries to keep the ball away from Jo McLean, of Paikea, in women’s hockey on Saturday. Paikea won the game 1-0. Picture by Paul Rickard

HOCKEY

Defending A Grade women’s champions YMP A emerged victorious from Saturday’s major hockey semifinal, winning an exciting and hard-fought contest with GMC Green 3-2.

YMP A had previously been beaten twice by the Green Machine this season, but not a third time when it really mattered.

They advance straight through to the A grade women’s final.

“GMC owned the first quarter, dominated on attack, then scored in the second quarter to lead 1-nil at half time,” said hockey commentator Tony Scragg.

“YMP levelled it up and moved ahead by a goal in the third quarter, then GMC scored again to lock it up with about five minutes to play.

“Just when it looked as if it was going to go to a shootout, with a minute to go a Courtney Onekawa ‘special’ gave YMP the win.”

Scragg said it was a really good semifinal.

“It was hard-fought by both teams.”

JNL Paikea ended the season for Gisborne Girls’ High School by the slenderest of margins — just the single goal to Paikea in an epic struggle.

“It was not until the third quarter that Paikea found the back of the net, and they literally held on by the skin of their teeth to take the victory.

“Well done Paikea!

“They went in as underdogs, and earned themselves a place in the sudden-death semi against GMC Green to decide who joins YMP A in the premier women’s final.”

In a sensational result, Roseland Tavern Te Aowera kept their season alive with a one-nil win over YMP B.

“Well done TA!

“They have absolutely turned their season round in the past few weeks, and thoroughly deserve to play on,” Scragg said.

They will meet GMC Gold this Saturday in a sudden-death game.

“YMP made them work for it, though, so well done to them too.”

In the other senior women’s game GMC Kowhai triumphed over GMC Gold 3-nil.

“Kowhai have been a bit out of sorts in the past few weeks, but they nailed it when it matters, to advance straight to the women’s B final.”

They will play the winner of the GMC Gold-TA clash this weekend for the title.

In the men’s games the rise of LOB NZ Fruits continued in fine style when they despatched YMP B 5-nil. Derek Watson scored a brace.

“The Fruits just keep maturing each week as a team. They have certainly found their form at the right end of the season,” Scragg said.

The win qualified the Fruits for the men’s B grade final.

The LOB Masters ended the season for Gisborne Boys’ High School but it took a penalty shootout to settle the outcome after the match was tied 2-all at full time.

“Boys’ High had it in the bag at three-quarter time, leading 2-nil, but the Masters equalised and the game was sent to strokes.”

The Masters outscored the students in the shootout 2-1.

“Credit to LOB Masters goalie Mark Tombleson, and his counterpart in the Boys’ High team Saxon Sowerby.

“They were both superb, especially in the shootout.”

Detailed results — Women: GMC Kowhai 3 (Anita Howard 2, Mary Reedy) GMC Gold 0. Roseland Tavern Te Aowera 1 (Lillian Hema) YMP B 0. JNL Paikea 1 (Joanne McLean) Amber Dental GGHS 0. YMP A 3 (Toni Halley, Tayla Little, Courtney Onekawa) GMC Green 2 (Simone Grogan, Amy England).

Men: Lytton Old Boys NZ Fruits 5 (Derek Watson 2, Wade Manson, Terry Thomas, Henry Watson) YMP B 0. LOB Masters defeated GBHS in shootout; end of normal time, GBHS 2 (Harry Allan, Samuel Blackburne) LOB Masters 2 (David Preddey, Sam Hain); shootout, GBHS 1 (Salu Rodriquez-Ferrere) LOB Masters 2 (Jayden McKay, Tony Tombleson).