A century by Westlake Girls’ School’s Katie Perkins was the individual performance of the day at the NZCT Finals 2006 in Christchurch.
But the title of national secondary schools girls’ champions will be contested by two schools with contrasting histories in the tournament.
Holders New Plymouth Girls High could claim a fourth consecutive trophy in Friday’s final, but would have to overcome Havelock North High, who progressed to the decider at the first time of asking.
Perkins’ unbeaten 101 helped Westlake defeat Marian College and progress to the third-place play-off against Whangarei Girls High.
A family stand with sister Jo (30) and Nicola Haverd (32) helped their team to 205 for three.
Jo Perkins helped complete a big win for her side by taking four wickets for just 10 runs as Marian was dismissed for 36.
New Plymouth GHS completed a regulation win over Tauranga GC.
Opening bowler Victoria Hill took 4/1 in her opening spell, supported by 2/10 from Kendra Cocksedge with 2/10 off eight overs, to restrict Tauranga to 35 for eight, before hunting down the target in 10 overs.
Havelock North progressed after a 53-run defeat of Whangarei GHS. Amy Foster top-scored with 41 and Sally Hensman scored 24 as the first-time finalists posted 139 for five.
Sarah Percy and Hensman took four wickets each as Whangarei GHS was all out for 86 in 32 overs.
Otago GHS took third place from Wellington GC with an eight-wicket win over the capital school, chasing down a target of 97 courtesy of Kate Clayton’s 25 and Antonia Ward’s 29.
All matches will be at the Ilam Playing Fields and will start at 9.30am.
Group A
Westlake Girls High School 205/3 (Katie Perkins 101*, Jo Perkins 30, Nicola Haverd 32) beat Marian College 36 (Jo Perkins 4/10) by 171 runs
Tauranga Girls College 34/8 (Victoria Hill 4/1, Kendra Cocksedge 2/10) lost to New Plymouth Girls High School 35/0 (Kendra Cocksedge 18*) by 10 wickets
Group B
Havelock North High School 139/5 (Sally Hensman 24, Amy Foster 41, Emily Bailey 2/31) beat Whangarei Girls High School 86 (Kelsey Dunn 31, Sarah Percy 4/9, Sally Hensman 4/20) by 53 runs
Wellington Girls College 97 (Kate Clayton 25, Antonia Ward 29, Halamehi Bloomfield 4/19, Michelle Moir 3/12) lost to Otago Girls High School 98/2 (Greer Campbell 29, Una Madden 30*) by 8 wickets
Group A
New Plymouth Girls High School 6
Westlake Girls High School 4
Tauranga Girls College 2
Marian College 0
Group B
Havelock North High School 4
Whangarei Girls High School 4
Otago Girls High School 2
Wellington Girls College 2
Finals draw - Friday 15 December
Final: New Plymouth Girls High School v Havelock North High School
3 v 4: Westlake Girls High School v Whangarei Girls High School
5 v 6: Tauranga Girls College v Otago Girls High School
7 v 8: Marian College v Wellington Girls College
