Auckland and Waikato booked their places in tomorrow's semifinals of the national women's inter-provincial golf tournament after an eventful two rounds in Nelson yesterday.
Titleholders Bay of Plenty, upset by Northland in the morning round, needed to beat Auckland in the afternoon to progress any further.
But the
unbeaten Aucklanders stormed to their fifth straight success, winning 4 1/2 to 1/2, and ensuring themselves top qualifying spot from the tough first division despite there being one round of section play left today.
In section two, Waikato were equally dominant, stringing together their fifth successive victory at Hawkes Bay-Poverty Bay's expense.
Despite one more round of section play left today, both teams have the luxury of knowing they have qualified top regardless of the result.
The remaining qualifying places from both sections remain open, with North Harbour looking most likely in section one after a hard-fought 3-2 afternoon win over Aorangi-South Canterbury yesterday.
North Harbour play their nearest challengers, Northland, in the final round today. Northland have to win by 3 1/2 to 1 1/2 to head off Harbour.
Harbour No 1 Rica Tse won 16 and 17 and halved the last against former professional Catherine Knight to win 1 up and clinch a 3-2 win for her team.
Southland has the advantage in section two and even a half with Tasman would take it to the semifinals for the first time since 2003.
Bay of Plenty, in search of a record-equalling 18th national team matchplay crown, knew nothing less than success against Auckland would keep its aspirations alive.
But Auckland powered to a 3 1/2 to 1 1/2 lead through five holes and 4-1 at the turn, and Bay of Plenty couldn't pull off a stirring comeback.
- NZPA
