Auckland and Canterbury will play off for the 2007 Women's National Development Tournament title after securing the top two places from the round robin stage.
With top two secure of a final place ahead of the fifth round, top seeding and the race for third place were the major considerations.
However, Auckland still managed to take the limelight, with opener Jussara Bierman making a century on Lincoln Green in a bonus-point win over Central Districts.
Bierman’s second hundred of the tournament, 117 off 47 balls, was well supported by opening partnership Kelly Sutherland (57) and Wendy Horneman, who hit an attacking 37 off 27 balls.
Katie Perkins’ cameo innings of 27 not out off 16 balls helped Auckland through to 292/7 after 50 overs.
Regina Lili'I took 3/13 to limit CD to 170/8 and complet a122-run win, despite the efforts of Kelly Rangi (52 not out) and Esther Lanser (31).
At the Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Canterbury chased down 159 to earn victory over Wellington. Leigh Martin was promoted to open the Canterbury batting and responded with 78 not out off 97 balls, including 11 fours.
At Lincoln No. 3 Otago was all out for 146 in the 42.4 overs. The lower order recovered to boost the total, Lisa Grant holding the innings together with 42 not out., and Katie Topham hit out at the end with 17 runs off 20 balls.
Chasing 148 for the win ND reached the target in the 34th over with opener Natalie Dodd batting through the innings to be 47 not out.
Wellington 159 (Sarah Bradbury 28, Sarah Sims 30, Melinda Hodgson 28, Erin Bermingham 4/18) lost to Canterbury 160/3 (Leigh Martin 78*) by 7 wickets
Otago 146 (Lisa Grant 42*) lost to Northern Districts 147/4 (Natalie Dodd 47*, Rhiana Vincent 28*) by 6 wickets
Auckland 292/7 (Jussara Bierman 117, Kelly Sutherland 57, Wendy Horneman 37, Courtney Woodward 4/40) beat Central Districts 170/8 (Kelly Rangi 52*, Esther Lanser 31, Regina Lili'i 3/13, Lucille Matthews 2/9) by 118 runs
Final points table
Auckland 25
Canterbury 20
Northern Districts 14
Wellington 8
Central Districts 5
Otago 0
Finals day schedule
Final: Auckland v Canterbury
Play off for 3rd and 4th: ND v Wellington
Play off for 5th and 6th: CD v Otago
