Do or die: Poverty Bay men’s club hockey at semifinals stage

YMP A's Tamanay Tuhou is just one of the dangerous men Waituhi will have to contain in their sudden-death Poverty Bay men's club hockey semifinal. Photo / Paul Rickard

Gisborne Boys’ High School First XI are on the cusp of history as they eye a place in the Poverty Bay club hockey premier men’s grand final.

Standing in their way are a team with a long and successful history - Lytton Paikea Sports Club Traktion - who will be hungry for redemption after missing out on last year’s championship decider.

GBHS and Traktion (formerly Lytton Old Boys) clash at 6.30pm tonight on the Hain Farming turf at Harry Barker Reserve in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.

While past results suggest a slight advantage for the students, Traktion will be motivated by having defeated GBHS 3-0 earlier this season, although GBHS beat them 4-2 in a top-four round-robin game last Sunday.

Both teams are renowned for their fitness, which sets the stage for a high-intensity battle.

With so much at stake in this do-or-die 2v3 semifinal, the potential is there for a nail-biter.

Whoever triumphs will face the winner of the 1v4 semi between reigning champions YMP A and Waituhi tomorrow at 12.30pm.

YMP A start as overwhelming favourites. They are unbeaten this season, their only dropped points a draw against GBHS.

They have been in imperious form, and Waituhi face a daunting task if they are to upset them.

However, the underdogs are up for the challenge and are expected to fight tooth and nail.

It’s a mismatch on paper, but in sport, anything can happen.

The other men’s match sees LPSC Resene Masters take the turf against YMP B tonight from 7.30pm as they resume what has been an enthralling series between the bottom two sides.

In women’s games, PGG Wrightson Ngātapa and GMC Kōwhai renew their rivalry at 2pm tomorrow.

A victory for Ngātapa would cement their top-four spot ahead of next week’s women’s finals series.

However, Kōwhai have shown marked improvement as the season has progressed and will be eager to beat the odds.

Given Ngātapa’s clinical finishing, expect goals in what promises to be an entertaining match.

Gisborne Girls’ High School First XI are likely to be brought back to earth when they face competition heavyweights YMP A in the 3.30pm Saturday game.

Fresh from a morale-boosting win over LPSC Paikea, Girls’ High face a daunting task against a side renowned for their attacking prowess and miserly defence.

YMP A have rarely conceded goals this season, suggesting a one-sided affair in terms of possession.

However, the students have shown resilience throughout the campaign and will be looking to continue their improvement.

Gisborne Denture Centre GMC Green will bring the curtain down on the regular season with a clash against LPSC Emerre and Hathaway Paikea at 5pm tomorrow.

As the sun begins to set, both teams will be looking to finish the round on a high note.

GMC Green have been a standout attacking force in the women’s competition and Paikea will be well-aware of the threat they pose.

The Paikea defence will have their work cut out for them as they attempt to contain the competition’s most potent forwards.