GMC Green women, YMP A men make Prem 1 title statements

YMP A’s Lachie Falloon has Alex Hyland in support as LOB Traktion’s Jayden McKay falls to the turf in Poverty Bay Prem 1 men’s club hockey action on Saturday. YMP hit LOB for six to move a step away from retaining the Prem 1 crown. They have gone straight to the final while LOB must beat Waituhi in a knockout semifinal this Saturday to have another crack at their arch-rivals. Picture by Liam Clayton

A resounding 6-0 victory to YMP A men and a hard-fought one-goal win to GMC Green were the outcomes as arch-rivals clashed in the lead-in to the Poverty Bay club hockey playoffs.

James Torrie belted home three goals on the Hain Farming Turf at Harry Barker Reserve in YMP A’s Prem 1 men’s victory over Lytton Old Boys Traktion on Saturday.

Tamanay Tuhou added a brace as his side moved emphatically through to the final after finishing the three-team round-robin top of the Prem 1 table.

Traktion face Waituhi to decide the other place in the final.

Commentator Tony Scragg expected YMP A to make a statement and that was exactly what happened.

“YMP had total control of the game right from the start and they didn’t button off. They just kept going and Traktion were unable to capitalise on the few scoring chances they created.

“The YMP win says they will be a tough ask for whoever they meet in the final.”

In the feature women’s game, GMC Green outscored defending champions YMP A 3-2 on Friday night to seal top of the Prem 1 table.

“That will have been a confidence boost for GMC, their first taste of victory over YMP A this season,” Scragg said.

Their other two games were drawn.

The teams were tied 2-all going into the final quarter and the winning goal came late in the game.

“YMP really made GMC dig deep for the win. I would expect these two teams to be chasing each other again come finals day.”

Paikea and Gisborne Girls’ High 1st XI started the Prem 1 womens’ action on Thursday night with a 1-all draw.

“It was nil-all at halftime, with Girls’ High having had the better chances,” Scragg said.

“The students scored first in the second half but Paikea squared it up again really quickly.

“Both teams have a massive mountain to climb when they take on GMC Green and YMP A respectively in sudden-death semis this weekend.”

In Prem 2 women’s games, YMP B and PGG Wrightson Ngatapa fought out a 1-all draw on Saturday.

“That’s an indication of how close this division is,” Scragg said.

“The result meant Ngatapa finished in second place and YMP B third, so they will play each other in a sudden-death semifinal this weekend.

“If that result is anything to go by their re-match will be something else.”

GMC Kowhai beat Te Aowera by default.

“Kowhai finished top of the table, and kept a clean record in the Prem 2 round.

“They will play TA in sudden-death this weekend and will be red-hot favourites to go through to the final.”

In a Prem 2 men’s game, Gisborne Boys’ High 1st XI enjoyed a 6-nil romp over YMP B on Saturday, with Ollie Egan finding the back of the net four times.

“The scoreline could have been even higher, with several misfired shots at goal,” Scragg said.

Gisborne Boys’ High topped the table and advanced to the final where they will play the winners of Saturday’s semifinal between YMP B and LOB Masters.

Results —
Prem 1 women : Paikea 1 (Jo Cumming) Gisborne Girls’ High 1st XI 1 (Keeley Smiler).

GMC Green 3 (Julia Edwards, Amy England, Jessie Kapene) YMP A 2 (Maia Rickard, Kayla Leeper).

Prem 2 women: YMP B 1 (Toni Halley) PGG Wrightson Ngatapa 1 (Katie McKibbin).

GMC Kowhai won by default (5-0) over Te Aowera.

Prem 1 men: YMP A 6 (James Torrie 3, Tamanay Tuhou 2, Chris Fox) LOB Traktion 0.

Prem 2 men: Gisborne Boys’ High School 1st XI 6 (Ollie Egan 4, Jack Fletcher, Thomas Fletcher) YMP B 0.