Bay of Plenty will host the ND Secondary Schoolgirls cricket tournament in Rotorua with the annual tournament taking place from Sunday, December 16, to Tuesday, December 18.

The beautiful setting of Boord Park on the City fringes, will see Northland, Counties Manukau, Hamilton, Waikato Valley, Bay of Plenty and Poverty Bay battle for the ND Secondary Schoolgirls title over three days.

The ND Secondary Schoolgirls tournament has proved to be a launching pad to top class women's cricket.

No better example is provided than Bay of Plenty White Fern Anna Peterson.

In four years, Anna has gone from selection in the Bay of Plenty and ND Secondary Schoolgirls teams to the Northern Spirit and New Zealand Emerging player to earn a place in the White Ferns against England last season.

Bay of Plenty will enter this year's tournament wearing the mantle of defending champions.

After beating Hamilton in the last round of pool play on day three, they again met the Waikato side in the afternoon title decider.

Batting first Hamilton made 73/2, with Caitlin Edwards in good touch top scoring with 15 runs.

The Bay side were made to fight for victory, however, they reached their target in the 11th over for the loss of three wickets. Alieda Oliver led the way with a crisp 22, with Kate Anderson backing up her morning batting performance with 17.

ND Secondary Schoolgirls Cricket Tournament at Boord Park Rotorua December 16/18

Entries: Northland, Counties Manukau, Hamiltion, Waikato Valley, Bay of Plenty, Poverty Bay.