Waikato had the mental advantage of having beaten Counties earlier in the tournament, however, these two teams rarely disappoint to display an even and exciting encounter.
Auckland went straight through to the final by virtue of winning the 1 v 2 play off in the morning. Manawatu had to eliminate a strong BOP team that included New Zealand representatives Shaq and Maurice Stone and Arepa Ohia.
As predicted, conditions were torrential for the first final of the day. The under 21 Boys final put up a closely fought encounter between two talented sides.
Waikato Women straight to final
In another final featuring a South Island team up against some notherners, Southland and Bay of Plenty took the field for what promised to be a beauty.
Waikato and Otago had met earlier in the tournament and Otago would have been favourites for this one after defeating Otago 4-3 in that encounter.
Tournament upstarts Kapiti-Horowhenua faced the old order of Canterbury in this clash between two of the best performing mixed open sides of the weekend.
Traditional rivals in the womens grade, Waikato met Counties in the first round of Day Two. These two teams always provide an exciting and evenly contested match and with improved conditions the base was set for fast, attacking touch football.
Looking to atone for their loss earlier in the day, Canterbury were on fire early and took a 4-1 lead nearing the midpoint of the first half.
In the highly competitive Open Mens Grade, the home town side of Manawatu faced off against perennial heavyweights, Canterbury.
Two of the most talented sides in a very competitive Open Mens Grade played out an entertaining clash in the second round of matches today.
In windy conditions, these two traditional rivals in the Open Womens Grade met first up on Day One of Nationals.
It's Finals day the the 2012 ZM Masters National Touch Championship, after three days of intense competition teams will be giving their all and hoping that late injuries don't cruel their chances of holding aloft their respective Championship trophy.
Canterbury were defending champions and favourites for this match but Manawatu were playing on home turfand determined to create an upset.
In this particular grade, Wellington were looking for their fourth title on the bounce, a remarkable feat in New Zealand touch.
Bay of Plenty came into this game as hot favourites over a Whanganui team only recently returning to nationals level competition
Auckland were defending champions from the last Nationals. A long history exists between Auckland and Kapiti Horowhenua in the Masters competition throughout the years, in Men’s 35 and 40’s.
These two sides met unbeaten at the end of day one before Canterbury dished out a heavy beating to Harbour
After winning their round robin game 6 – 1 against North Harbour, Canterbury went into this game with some confidence.
In this chilly early morning fixture, Counties were the favourites and had the early running
Bragging rights into the finals
It was another awesome day of Masters Touch at Ongley Park.
Canterbury Women’s 30’s struck a decisive blow in their quest for the championship
Who will take the challenge Auckland?
Canterbury remian the team to beat in the Over 30 Mens
Bay of Plenty serve up more wins
Title up for grabs in the Over 50s
The Masters took to the field in Palmerston North today to begin the 2012 ZM National Touch Championship.
With all teams playing each-other once in this grade today, Bay of Plenty have 'won' the initial round robin.
Canterbury and North Harbour looking good in the Over 30/35 Womens
Canterbury headed off a massive challenge by North Harbour today and are the team to beat in the Mens Over 30s grade.
If Auckland's Over 40 Mens were considered to be the team to beat in this grade before the tournament, today's results did nothing to alter this view. The Aucklanders won all three matches in convincing style but a spate of injuries could come back to haunt them later in the tournament.
North Harbour have proven to be the strongest side throughout the opening rounds of the Over 50 Mens grades this year.
