The Manawatu-Wanganui team had to settle for sixth place at the Women's Toro Interprovincials after a 3-2 loss to Auckland in their playoff at Ashburton on Saturday.
Both teams had just missed the semifinals after finishing third in their respective pools.
Wanganui Golf Club's 12-year-old star Tara Raj won thebattle of the No 3's with Brittney Dryland 3/1.
That took Raj's record to four wins, a draw and two losses for the tournament.
She had previously earned the right to play in the team's No 1 spot after winning the Order of Merit trial series, however the selectors felt given her age and experience it was best to slot in at No 3.
The team's other youngster in Katherine Paskins, 15, picked up the other team victory, 1 up over Siyi Keh.
Hawkestone's Leanne Brown narrowly lost to the talented Rose Zheng 7/6, while No 1 Maraea Durie was beaten by Munchin Keh 1 up, and the other newcomer in Manawatu's Tania Hook was beaten 3/1 by Shantael Ligaliga.
The Toro was won by Canterbury, who cleaned out Bay of Plenty 5-0 in the final.
Result: Playoff for 5th-6th " Manawatu-Wanganui lost to Auckland 3-2: Maraea Durie lost to Munchin Keh 1 up; Leanne Brown lost to Rose Zheng 7/6; Tara Raj bt Brittney Dryland 3/1; Katherine Paskins bt Siyi Keh 1 up; Tania Hook lost to Shantael Ligaliga 3/1.
