Surpeise. Auckland and Christchurch will playoff for third place after the previously unbeaten sides were bundled out by hungrier opponents in the semifinals at the national championships in Dunedin today.
Otago and Hamilton will contest the finale and who would have predicted that outcome a few days ago.
Otago was well-beaten 66-52 by Christchurch on Tuesday and Hamilton was undone by Auckland 54-49 on Monday.
Otago struck the first blow, staying ahead of Auckland for most of the match to seal a 62-58 win in the early semifinal.
Former Silver Fern and Auckland shooter Paula Griffin scored a game high 45 from 49 but Otago displayed more energy throughout court.
Unheralded midcourters Miaana Walden and Sophie Napper played memorable matches and shooter Kate Shearer (27 from 31) proved the perfect foil for the taller Te Paea Selby-Rickit (35 from 37). Otago defender Celina Ledgard also made some telling plays.
A similar game unfolded in the late semifinal. Christchurch, boasting a line-up very close to the Tactix' side, met a more determined team.
Hamilton, who played as Waikato last year and was beaten in the final by Otago, hustled for every possession. Former Silver Fern and Hamilton goal attack Jessica Tuki's shooting statistics (16 from 28) were on the low side but she did a lot of nice work throughout court and rebounded strongly.
Elias Shadrock was influential in the centre bib and Elsa Brown shouldered the shooting responsibilities with aplomb, landing 42 from 49 attempts. Christchurch defender Jane Watson was tireless in her efforts.
