Golf: Auckland close in on semifinals

Auckland's hopes of defending their Honda Cup women's golf inter-provincial title is in their own hands at Mount Maunganui today.

The defending champions retained their unbeaten record yesterday, following their comfortable 4-1 stroll over hosts Bay of Plenty-Thames Valley with a closely fought squared match with title contenders Wellington in the afternoon.

None coped better than Auckland No 4 La Nahi, who is one of five unbeaten players following her 3 and 2 win over the previously unbeaten 14-year-old Sarah Nicholson, of Wellington.

Nahi, making her playing debut, spent five years in Australia before returning to Auckland last year, and was selected as reserve for last year's tournament in Kerikeri.

Auckland share top spot in section one with Waikato-King Country, who were knocked off their unbeaten perch 3-2 by Bay of Plenty-Thames Valley in a tight battle with four matches decided on the final green.

Auckland face Waikato-King Country in today's final round with the winner to progress to tomorrow's semifinals, the first time final four playoffs have been included in the tournament.

Wellington lie a point behind Auckland and Waikato-King Country but are expected to pick up maximum points over South Canterbury today to secure a semifinal spot.

Should Auckland halve with Waikato-King Country, a Wellington win would necessitate a countback between the three teams to determine the semifinalists.

The situation is clear cut in the other section with Manawatu-Wanganui, who last won the title in 1960, establishing themselves as favourites following their fifth win on the trot, while Otago, who have never won the tournament, secured the other spot.

The southerners, bolstered with the arrival of three former Aucklanders, Wendy and Angela Hawkes and Liz Aitken, recovered from Tuesday's two narrow losses with wins over Northland and Hawkes Bay-Poverty Bay.