There was plenty of action on Day 2 of the Women’s D League at Eventfinda Stadium in Auckland on Thursday.
After four Preliminary Quarter-Finals in the morning and Quarter-Finals in the second half of the day the 12 team field has been narrowed to four with Friday’s semi-finalists being Canterbury, Otago Gold Rush, Auckland Dream and Harbour Breeze.
In the all South Island tie Canterbury enjoyed 20-point performances from Nicole Gleason and Karereatua Williams as they recorded a decisive 95-62 victory.
A competitive first period was edged 19-15 by Canterbury before Southland were held to just 10 points in the second quarter to find themselves 44-25 in arrears at the interval.
Canterbury eased away in the second half to book their semi-final berth.
Southland 62 – J O’Connell 16, M Hunter 12, M Tinnock 11
Canterbury 95 – N Gleason 24, K Williams 21, G Etheridge 11, L Pale 10
Defending champions Rotorua Lady Geysers were ousted 95-62 by Etco Auckland Dream.
The Dream powered to a 27-15 first quarter lead, increased that to 45-25 by half-time and built that steadily throughout the second half.
Riana Rangi-Brown paced the Dream effort with 31 points.
Auckland 99 – R Rangi-Brown 31, C Buchman 14, W Clarken 11, T Paeu 8
Rotorua 56 – A Haumaha 17, C Lacey-Rameka 13, M Mapengo 13, P Pene 7
In the game of the day Otago Gold Rush held off Waikato Wizards to win 70-64 in a tight finish.
Trailing 64-63 with 90 seconds to play Otago held their nerve down the stretch to clinch the tie in an exciting finish.
Otago forward Hannah Matehaere, on her way to a game high 25 points, made the go-ahead scores. With Caitlin O’Connell and Hannah Beede solid from the foul line and Waikato held scoreless Otago prevailed to earn a semi-final match up with Canterbury.
With Ariel Cowley in good touch Waikato opened up an 8-point lead after half-time only to be pegged back by the three-quarter mark – 51 points apiece at that point.
It remained a one possession game throughout the fourth before Matehaere and Otago sealed the victory to earn a semi-final match up against Canterbury.
Otago 70 – H Matehaere 25, H Beede 12, C O’Connell 11, A Ring 7
Waikato 64 – A Cowley 15, S Walker-Pitman 12, R Walker-Pitman 12, H Moala 11
SealesWinslow Taranaki Thunder made a bright start against Platinum Homes Harbour Breeze before going down 70-47.
The Thunder, with Daneka Tu’lneau dominating inside, were ahead 15-12 at quarter time. Still all square early in the second, the Breeze then grabbed the initiative to lead 37-30 at half-time – Yume Negishi impressing for Harbour.
Taranaki ran out of gas in the third outscored 24-6 to trail 61-36 at three-quarter time – Harbour headed to a Battle of the Bridge against Auckland Dream on Friday.
Taranaki 47 – D Tu’lneau 14, E Trolove 7
Harbour Breeze 70 – Y Negishi 16, I Pugh 16, N Scales 15, H Wentworth 8
Friday’s Semi—Final Draw
Canterbury v Otago
Auckland v Harbour
Preliminary Quarter-Finals Results:
Rotorua Lady Geysers 78 Etco Auckland Dream Blue 64
Manawatu 42 Canterbury 115
Northland Phoenix 35 Waikato Wizards 82
LACEY LOWDOWN 