Golf: Harbour can go all the way, says Boon

New Zealand representative Anita Boon believes her young North Harbour combination can win their second national women's interprovincial title in New Plymouth at the weekend.

Harbour are the only team so far to assure themselves of a place in tomorrow's semifinals after disposing of rivals Auckland 3 1/2-1 1/2 yesterday morning and then ending the hopes of defending champions Waikato-King Country in the afternoon.

They ensured that Waikato will not have the chance of a third title in a row when Boon edged out former national champion Jan Storey on the 18th in the deciding match.

Auckland need a big victory over Waikato-King Country and for Otago to beat hosts Taranaki to grab a semifinal spot.

Harbour had a player disqualified in their clash with Waikato. Bobea Park, 13, was disqualified after a member of the team management had pulled her trundler.

Harbour have tasted victory before, winning the interprovincial title in their first year at Titirangi, and were beaten finalists in Dunedin last year and Kerikeri the previous year.

"We knew we had to really dig our toes in today and work hard," Boon said. "We needed two wins, especially the one against Auckland because they were ahead of us."

Boon said the young Harbour side had shown a maturity above their years.

"They are such good players and they really want it.

"We are good enough to win this tournament and I think we will. There are no weak spots."

Auckland lost their unbeaten record when they succumbed to Harbour.

Boon, Stacey Tate and Catherine Mitchell grabbed wins for Harbour, while Keun Ji Lim replied for Auckland.

Brigit Holford and N Storck finished all square.



Taranaki kept their dream of a first championship alive after one of their greatest days.

They toppled Waikato-King Country in the morning and the might of Auckland in the afternoon, with both matches secured with the deciding game on the last green.

A win over Otago this morning will earn Taranaki a place in the semifinals.

Taranaki No 3 Debbie McCallum found the perfect time to find form, grabbing her first win of the week when she came from behind to beat Judy Cameron on the 18th to claim the deciding match against Waikato-King Country.

Wellington have all but assured themselves of a semifinal place after wins over Canterbury and Hawkes Bay-Poverty Bay. They head section two with 10 points.

Bay of Plenty-Thames Valley must beat them in today's final round to hold out Canterbury, who are favoured to beat Manawatu-Wanganui and gain a place in the last four.