Battle stations for prem heavyweights

YMP A’s Kohere Tupara fires the ball downfield as LOB Traktion’s Mitchell Hodgetts lifts his stick in hope of a rebound. The sides meet tomorrow in a Poverty Bay Prem 1 men’s club hockey game on the turf at Harry Barker Reserve. Picture by Liam Clayton

The surge towards the Poverty Bay club hockey playoffs heats up this weekend with the top men’s and women’s teams facing vital games.

Prem 1 women’s sides GMC Green and YMP A take the Hain Farming Turf at Harry Barker Reserve at 6pm tonight in the first of those epic encounters.

“A win or a draw to the Green Machine tonight will see them go through to the playoffs round as top qualifiers,” hockey commentator Tony Scragg said.

“They would have the advantage of playing the fourth team on the table to decide a spot in the Prem 1 women’s grand final.

YMP must win to grab the No.1 qualifying spot.

“This will be a close encounter.  It’s been very close between them all season,” Scragg said.

Their two clashes this year have resulted in draws.

Arch-rivals YMP A and Lytton Old Boys Traktion clash in a Prem 1 men’s game at 2pm tomorrow.

After last week’s narrow loss to Waituhi, LOB find themselves third on the three-team table and with a Herculean task if they are to advance directly to the grand final.

“It’s plain and simple . . . they have to win by 10 goals to lift their differential,” Scragg said.

“If not, they will play Waituhi next weekend to decide who joins YMP in the final.”

That is the highly likely outcome and Scragg does not see YMP in any way taking it easy due to their favourable position.

“I think YMP will come out and make a statement in this game.”

The other Prem 1 women’s game — third-placed Paikea v fourth-placed Gisborne Girls’ High 1st XI — was played last night.

The students had to win to move into third. The result was not available when The Herald went to print last night.

In tomorrow’s action, YMP B and Gisborne Boys’ High 1st XI get the ball rolling in a Prem 2 game at 12.30pm.

“Boys High only need a draw to earn a place in the Prem 2 final,” Scragg said.

“Even in the event of a loss, they would have to lose by seven goals not to take the top spot.

“I expect the students to be too strong for YMP B anyway. They performed well in the Super 8 secondary schools tournament in Hamilton (this week), scoring several goals, and never gave up against some tough opposition.

“We can expect to see a YMP B sudden-death game against LOB Resene Masters next weekend,” Scragg said.

PGG Wrightson Ngatapa have a 3.30pm date with YMP B in Prem 2 women’s games.

“Ngatapa will be looking for a win to seal second spot on that table, but if YMP B win they will leapfrog them.

“It’s a crucial game for both line-ups, and possibly a dress rehearsal for a sudden-death game between the two of them next weekend.”

To finish off the day’s action, Prem 2 leaders GMC Kowhai play bottom-of-the-table Te Aowera from 5pm.

“Kowhai go into it in red-hot form, and must be favourites to finish on top of the Prem 2 table.”

Meanwhile, Scragg gave congratulations to Whatatutu and Campion College who have shared the honours in the secondary schools competition.

“The future of our game in the district looks bright.”