Golf: Last year's finalists to meet in women's interprovincial semi

Last year's finalists Bay of Plenty and North Harbour will meet tomorrow in the semifinals of the women's interprovincial golf tournament at Russley, Christchurch.

In the other semi, home team Canterbury will oppose Auckland after the four teams topped their sections today.

Canterbury's hot streak continued when they had a clean sweep over South Canterbury in the final section-play round today. Fifth last year, Canterbury won all six matches and racked up 26 individual games from a possible 30.

North Harbour, already assured of a final four place before the last round, dispensed of Waikato, 3-1/2 - 1-1/2, to finish runners-up to Canterbury and book a match with section two winners Bay of Plenty, who they beat 3-2 in last year's final.

Bay of Plenty needed to beat Auckland in the last round to gain top seeding in their section, and they did that but the result was in doubt until the final putt on the last green.

With the score at 2-2, Bay of Plenty No 2 Zoe-Beth Brake stood on the 18th tee 1 up against 11-year-old Auckland replacement Cecilia Cho and the match ended at that after both missed their par putts.

Cho had birdied the 152m par-3 15th to go 1 up, but Brake, a New Zealand junior representative, squared the game at 16 and won 17 with a par.

Earlier Auckland No 1 Da Som Lee kept her unbeaten record and ended the winning run of fellow international Penny Newbrook with a 4 and 2 win.

Meanwhile, Auckland No 5 Hayley Clinning sustained her consistent form with a 2 and 1 win over previously unbeaten Krystle Kearns.

Susan Lines, Bay's No 4, made it six from six after beating Tania Tare at the last and middle player Heather Lavery got Bay's other win, also at the 18th.

Canterbury had only No 1 Naomi Wallace behind at the turn against South Canterbury.

She was 2 down to Olivia Crispin, but was back to square at the 16th where Crispin's par putt lipped out and Wallace went ahead at 17 and held her 1 up lead.

Hawke's Bay-Poverty Bay took third place in section one by whitewashing Manawatu-Wanganui and Northland, despite losing to Southland 4-1, today finished a point in front of the southerners.

The semifinals start at 8am tomorrow with the final scheduled for 1pm.

- NZPA