Waikato, Wellington and Canterbury made the early running in the opening round of games in the national championships.
The matches were played by teams on a closest geographical basis before the championship proper begins in Invercargill next Monday.
Waikato, defending their title, were impressive in beating Auckland 71-52 in Hamilton.
Waikato led
from start to finish with quarter scores of 20-12, 34-26 and 47-41, but needed the skill and leadership of Silver Fern Jenny-May Coffin at the end after Auckland made a strong surge in the third quarter.
Coffin had a heavily-strapped calf muscle and Waikato took the precaution of starting Victoria Edward at centre.
With Auckland making big inroads in the second half, Waikato rushed Coffin back on for the final quarter and Edward back to the more familiar role of wing-defence.
Coffin showed her class and experience by steering Waikato out of danger.
In Tauranga, Silver Ferns goal shoot Irene van Dyk reigned supreme to guide Wellington to an impressive 78-38 win over Bay of Plenty.
Wellington found the first-division newcomers a handful in the first quarter, but their strong defensive pressure and the towering presence of van Dyk proved the difference.
Bay of Plenty coach Noeline Taurua, a former Silver Fern, knows she will have her hands full. The winners of the second division lack experience and height at both ends of the court.
Bay of Plenty trailed 15-12 at the first quarter, but Wellington had surged out to 38-22 at halftime and did not take their foot off the accelerator in the second half.
Canterbury demonstrated why they are one of the favourites for the title by crushing Otago 50-36 in Dunedin.
The visitors were without Silver Fern Belinda Colling, who was playing basketball for the Tall Ferns against Australia, but could still call upon past and present internationals Vilimaina Davu, Julie Seymour, Belinda Charteris, Anna Rowberry and Anna Veronese.
Otago were not shy on talent either, with Silver Ferns Lesley Nicol and Adine Harper in their ranks, as well as long-serving Western Flyers captain Janine Brown.
The game was played at a frenetic pace and highlighted by some bruising defence. Canterbury led 25-20 at halftime and lifted the intensity in the second spell.
- NZPA
