Tauranga Intermediate has earned the right to defend the New Zealand Cup title they won last year when they defeated Rosmini College in the Northern Regional final in Auckland on Monday.

The New Zealand Cup, which started life as the Milo Cup is a NZ Cricket National primary school competition, where four regional winners from throughout the country battle for the title of National primary school cricket champion.

File pic.

On an overcast morning at Cornwall Park in Auckland, the Tauranga Intermediate representatives lost the toss and were asked to bat by Rosmini College.

The Auckland team bowlers grabbed the early ascendancy and had the Western Bay side in trouble at two wickets down for just 9 runs.

The arrival of Mikaere Leef (26) and Taylor (29) at the wicket got the Tauranga side back into the match.

Batting down the order Oliver Norris took to the bowling with real enthusiasm to smash 28 runs, which saw his side through to 109.

Tauranga bowler Finn Sears took two early wickets, before Oakley Dench, Taylor Kite, David Rout and Mikaere Leef all slowed the opposition momentum with the ball.

Coupled with some outstanding fielding, the defending champions booked a second successive National Finals berth, when they removed Rosmini College for 95.

The Tauranga coaching team of Aubrey Jefta and Brett Hampton were extremely proud of the performances of their team.

At last year's National Finals, Tauranga Intermediate defeated South Island representative Ellesmere College and Inglewood Primary from Taranaki in the preliminary competition, before meeting Heaton Intermediate (Christchurch) in the title decider on day two.

Tauranga cruised to victory after dismissing their opponents for 74, with the Bay of Plenty side getting home for victory for the loss of just two wickets.

The 2012 New Zealand Cup National Finals are to be played in Palmerston North on November 28 and 29.

New Zealand Cup Northern Regional Final Result November 5

Tauranga Intermediate 109 defeated Rosmini College 95