Otago had a lot to thank Wellington for yesterday after Lois Muir's team advanced to the final of the national championships for the first time since 1998.
Fourth-seeded Otago, who lost twice during the week, will meet defending champions Canterbury in tonight's final after beating Southland 61-55 in the last round-robin
match yesterday.
Wellington opened the door for Otago when, against all predictions, they spoiled Waikato's dream of a fourth consecutive final with a comprehensive 57-47 win.
Waikato looked set to take charge with a strong start to the second quarter after they had led 15-14 at the first break.
The midcourt speed of Jenny-May Coffin and Amigene Metcalfe gave last year's runners-up extra punch on attack.
Wellington withstood the onslaught, and tightened their defensive screens to slow Waikato and rattle shooters Julie Kelman-Poto and Renne Jacobson.
Clever use of the bomb to sharp-shooter Irene van Dyk, who converted 47 from 49 for the game, kept Wellington in the hunt.
Fifth-seeded Wellington inched into the lead six minutes from halftime through sustained defensive pressure.
Van Dyk provided the finishing touches with a superb all-round display.
The Waikato shooters went off the boil and Wellington streaked out to a 32-23 halftime lead and increased their dominance, at one point being 14 goals clear and keeping Waikato scoreless for six minutes.
"It's an understatement to say we're disappointed," Metcalfe, the Waikato captain said.
"We didn't finish off our opportunities. At times our shooting let us down, we had a general loss of possession.
"There were a number of things, but you've got to finish off through the hoop."
The teams are set to meet again today in the playoff for third. Southland and Counties Manukau will square off for fifth and sixth placings.
Canterbury had already sewn up one final spot on Thursday but continued their unbeaten march with a 57-43 win over Counties-Manukau yesterday.
Canterbury's only blemish throughout the week has been a 47-47 draw with Wellington.
- NZPA
