Poverty Bay hockey Grand Finals Day: YMP A men v Gisborne Boys’ High; GMC v YMP A women

A haka from Gisborne Boys' High before the 2010 Poverty Bay men's club hockey grand final against YMP A. Two of this Boys' High team - Tamanay Tuhou (centre) and Chris Fox (back left) are in the YMP A side for the 2024 final as is No 11 Heath Tupara while No 6 Tony Carpendale's son Cory is in the Boys' High team. Photo / Dave Thomas

It’s Grand Finals day in Poverty Bay club hockey tomorrow and after a 14-year absence from the men’s A-grade final, Gisborne Boys’ High School have the opportunity to make history.

Standing in their way are the formidable defending champion YMP A side, but the students will undoubtedly relish the chance to compete at this highest level of local hockey.

Two of the men they will be facing, Tamanay Tuhou and Chris Fox, were members of the last Boys’ High team to make the final - a 3-1 loss to YMP in 2010 on the grass fields - and both will be key players tomorrow.

Boys’ High coach Wade Manson, who has done an exceptional job guiding his side, will be bursting with pride when his team run on to the Hain Farming Turf at Harry Barker Reserve for their 2.30pm clash.

Their task is a daunting one. YMP are unbeaten in 2024, their only dropped points a draw with Boys’ High. They won their other clashes with them - 6-4 and 4-2.

The women’s final will take centre stage as the sun sets over the turf.

Defending champions Gisborne Denture Clinic GMC Green face the challenge of conquering a YMP women’s side, who, like their men, have not tasted defeat this year.

The previous match-up between these sides, a nil-all draw, sets the stage for a thrilling contest.

YMP will be motivated to reclaim the title while the Green Machine will fight tooth and nail to retain it.

Both teams will showcase exceptional talent, so expect a large crowd to witness this highly anticipated clash.

The weekend action begins with a showdown between Lytton Paikea Sports Club (LPSC) Emerre and Hathaway Paikea and PGG Wrighton Ngātapa at 6pm tonight.

Paikea hold a slight psychological advantage after winning two out of three matches this season against Ngatapa, but the country women will be determined to even the score.

Expect a fierce battle that could go down to the wire, as both teams are evenly matched and eager to secure victory and third place.

Amber Dental Gisborne Girls’ High First XI, riding a wave of recent success, face a stern test against GMC Kowhai at 7.30pm tonight.

Girls’ High have beaten Kowhai all three times they have met this season, so Kowhai will be eager to turn the tables.

Saturday’s Grand Finals Day programme tomorrow will see the reigniting of an intense rivalry between LPSC Resene Masters and YMP B at 12.45pm.

These two have clashed several times in recent weeks after the men’s competition split into top four, leaving them out as the fifth and sixth teams.

Having edged LPSC in their most recent encounters, YMP B will be determined to once again come out on top.

However, bragging rights between these traditional foes are huge, and LPSC would love to end the season with that honour.

Expect this match to be another close one, with the outcome uncertain until the final whistle.