Hamilton has won the first berth in the semi-finals of the Hawke Cup this year.

Under the changed format for the Minor Association symbol of supremacy semi-finals and a final will now be played in the former challenge event.

Hamilton secured its place after six of seven rounds of the Northern Districts region were completed.

Hamilton had 36 points while other teams were, Bay of Plenty 24, Northland 22, Counties Manukau 16, Thames Valley 8, Midlands 6, Poverty Bay 2.

The final round will be played on the weekend of December 9-10.

Games are: Poverty Bay v Bay of Plenty in Gisborne, Thames Valley v Midlands in Cambridge, Counties Manukau v Hamilton in Pukekohe. Northland has the bye.

The second team from the ND region will go into a playoff with the second-placed Central Districts team to contest the fourth spot in the semi-final. Bay of Plenty looks the most likely to fill this spot, however, Counties Manukau could upset Hamilton and make it through.

This weekend marks the start of the Glenview International Hotel District One-Day tournament.

On Sunday the first round of games should provide some exciting matches as all members of the Northern Districts squad will be competing.

The tournament will run for four days with all games at Jansen Park in Hamilton, starting at 10.30am.

The draw is:

Sunday - Northland v Bay of Plenty, Counties Manukau v Midlands, Thames Valley v Hamilton, Poverty Bay the bye.
Monday - Bay of Plenty v Counties Manukau, Northland v Midlands, Poverty Bay v Hamilton, Thames Valley the bye.
Tuesday - Counties Manukau v Northland, Bay of Plenty v Midlands, Thames Valley v Poverty Bay, Hamilton the bye.
Wednesday - Final, playoffs for all placings.

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