Bay of Plenty took it to Tasman right from the first quarter as they compiled a substantial lead. Tasman fought back in the final quarter but the gap was too large.

The first quarter was an even tussle with each team trying to gain any sort of advantage. The beginning of the second quarter saw Western take a lead North tried to peg back with solid defence by Vilimaina Davu (GK) and Charmaine Smith (GD). Lauren Burgess (WD), Sam Burkhart (GD) and Jodi Beaumont (GK) were equally formidable on defence for Western and made North shooters Carli Botes and Brigette Tapene work hard for every ball. North's efforts were ultimately to no avail, and Western led for the majority of the match.

The game between Waikato and Wellington was a showcase of defence as both teams were out to put pressure on the oppositions shooters. Standout players were Wellington's defensive duo of Bessie Manu and Gerardine Solia, as well as Daya Pritchard who had a fantastic game at both WD and C. For Waikato, young Rachael Fabling came on in the third quarter at GD and created some great passages of play through court. She and captain Rachel Beale began to make life difficult for the Wellington shooters.

This was always going to be a highly contested game as Otago needed a win to ensure their position in Division One for next year. Otago were relentless on defence as wing defence Kelly Hutton and centre Debbie Hill rallied their team with some inspirational intercepts. Kate Shearer, who came on at half-time for Otago, proved her worth on the court as she fed shooters, Greir Campbell and Jodi Brown with great accuracy in the last quarter. Anna Galvan and Victoria Smith worked well together for Canterbury at GD and GK. Maree Bowden was also in Canterbury colours and found some great space on attack.

Auckland Waitakere had the better start and moved quickly out to a 13-7 lead, while Southland struggled to find flow on attack. Auckland Waiatakere shooter Cathrine Latu found plenty of space in the circle and at the other end, Debbie White at goal defence, and Rachel Rasmussen at goal keeper worked well together.
Southland came back towards the end of the quarter as Hayley Crofts showed good speed at centre and Dana Bond made several excellent intercepts from goal defence.
Southland came out firing in the second quarter with Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit dislaying great form on defence. Auckland Waitakere moved Amenda Payne to centre, and Rawinia Everitt to wing defence, and while this new combination was settling down, Southland got within two goals before excellent work by Rasmussen, accurate long shooting by Jade Topia and Brooke Williams' vision at wing attack extended Auckland Waitakere's lead to nine goals by half-time.
Both teams made several changes during the main break: Areta Thatcher coming on at goal defence, and White moving to wing defence for Auckland Waitakere; while player-coach Natalie Avellino came on for Southland, Erika Burgess stepped in to goal keeper and Erin Aston took up the wing attack position. It was Southland that responded fastest and best to these changes, with Burgess' pressure on the shot and Julianna Naoupu's accuracy under pressure to bringing their side within five goals of Auckland Waitakere.
However, Payne's superlative passing to Latu pushed the northerners back out to 35-26, before the efforts of the skilful, experienced Avellino, and the hard-driving Crofts reduced that lead to seven goals by three-quarter time.
Neither team made changes for the final quarter. Burgess, Aston and Bond continued their outstanding work for Southland, while Thatcher remained a force on defence for Auckland Waitakere, supported at the attack end by Topia's accuracy-at-a-distance and Latu's strong rebounding. The northern side established a ten-goal lead with five minutes to go and held it through to the final whistle of a quality match.