Christchurch Boys' High School will attend the boys' four team finals along with King's College (Auckland), St Paul's Collegiate (Hamilton), and home team Palmerston North Boys.

Boys' High coach Richard Harrison believes the team he is taking north for the three-day competition of 50-over games is stronger and better equipped than the team that competed last year.

King's College competed at last season's tournament, but last year's winner Wanganui has failed to qualify.

Harrison said the side had its toughest outing yet when it met an invitation team which included former Canterbury and New Zealand players, Rod Latham, Paul McEwan, and Lee Germon. The rain-affected match ended in a draw at The Willows on Sunday.

A two-day third-grade match against St Andrew's College today and tomorrow will complete its preparation.

Meanwhile, Timaru Girls' High is chasing a hat-trick of titles. It won the last two tournaments and was second in its first outing in 1995.

Eight of last season's side are returning which should make it a warm favourite for a ``three-peat.''

However, all-rounder Haidee Tiffen, who starred last season, has now left school and manager Bill Baillie said the other players were determined to produce a solid team effort.

``Last year we were perhaps regarded a bit as Haidee plus 10 others,''Baillie said.

Timaru's opponents are New Plymouth Girls, which it has already beaten this season, Whangarei Girls' High and Napier Girls' High.

Teams

Christchurch Boys' High:

Andrew Bailey, James Hantz, Chris Sowden, Hamish McCarthy, Simon Driessens, Nicholas Driessens (captain), Matthew Parr, Peter Broom, Shaun Webb, Dayle Eathorne, John Blakely, David Strachan.

Timaru Girls' High:

Alice Baillie (captain), Carla Butchers, Selena Charteris (vice-captain), Melissa Cormick, Stacey Davis, Maria Fahey, Rebecca Hewson, Louise McCarthy, Tui Sheed, Kelly Sullivan, Jocelyn Wakefield, Megan Wakefield, Kyla Welsh.