Joline Henry, left, battles with Anna Rowberry. Picture / Otago Daily Times
Western have pulled off the biggest upset at the national netball championships, stunning Otago 52-49 to claim their spot in the final six in Dunedin yesterday.
The other five provincial names to make the top six did not raise any eyebrows.
Waikato confirmed their favouritism, dispatching Auckland 63-50 to top
section A with five wins from five.
Auckland finished second in the pool and Southland third, after beating Tasman 62-32.
North went through unbeaten in section B, beating Wellington 54-44.
Wellington join Otago in the bottom six.
Canterbury qualified in second place, beating Counties-Manukau convincingly, with Western improving from 10th last year to make the top six.
In what was meant to be the match of the day, Waikato disposed of a tired-looking Auckland.
The first exchanges promised more, with Auckland leading 9-6 halfway through the first quarter but that was as good as it got.
The Waikato machine began to roll and the three-point deficit soon became a six-point lead.
By the time Amigene Metcalfe threw a bullet pass into Irene van Dyk from halfway, the result was beginning to look inevitable.
Auckland seemed as though they were throwing in the white towel when Anna Rowberry and Jodi Te Huna took a rest on the bench at halftime, with the score 36-22.
Auckland rallied in the third quarter, outscoring Waikato 16-11 but it was too little too late.
Anna Senio shot 20 from 26 and van Dyk landed 43 of her 47 attempts.
Canterbury had no trouble with Counties-Manukau, winning 65-23 and took the chance to rest Belinda Colling in the third period.
The former Silver Fern continued her progress towards regaining her spot in the national team, shooting 77 per cent.
Michelle Hall backed up her good performance against Otago, scoring 31 goals for the match.
- NZPA
