DAY FOUR
Canterbury completed a seven-wicket win against the Wellington Firebirds
It was a long wait on a damp day at the Basin, but once Canterbury and the Firebirds finally got on the park in the last session of the last day of the season, the shootout for second place was expedient.
Peter Fulton's visiting Cantabrians had needed just 105 runs to wrap up a victory, so biding their time through umpire inspections, early lunch and then early tea, and endless rounds of cards, was the call. But with weather hanging about, the call was also to get a wriggle on while they had the chance.
Once conditions finally dried out, it took just 20 overs to nail the target. The Firebirds managed to get them three down, but that was all as no-nonsense allrounder Andrew Ellis — last season's domestic player of the year completing another strong season this summer in all formats — busted out an unbeaten 55 off just 25 balls to get the job finished.
Having begin the season as defending champions looking for a three-peat, it was a bittersweet finale for Canterbuy to finish runners-up to the Mondiale Auckland Aces, who had already taken the Shield off their hands in the previous round.
DAY THREE
When Colson fell soon after the resumption, debutant Jamie Gibson dug in for an important 38 off 100 balls, and helped Blundell close in on his hundred.
The last session on day three saw curious onlookers at the Basin treated to the rare spectacle of Canterbury captain Peter Fulton having a bowl: he is averaging one over per year for his 11-year career, so they were lucky.
But any levity stopped when Todd Astle followed up and tricked Gibson into a catch behind, the burden falling back onto Blundell's shoulders. His four-and-a-half hours of resilience would finally end when was was trapped by Andy Ellis.
From there, at 325/9, Canterbury got the Firebirds all out for 333, which meant a chase of 105.
A day four win to give themselves a consolation prize at the end of the season may be complicated by wet weather, and by stumps they had already lost Chad Bowes in the first over before bad light stopped play at 17/1.
DAY TWO
Stumps score: Wellington Firebirds 55/2 in second innings after following on (trailing by 174). Earlier: Wellington Firebirds 201 all out in 91 overs (Stephen Murdoch 105; Hamish Bennett 3-56, Andy Ellis 4-32); Canterbury 430/8 declared (Todd Astle 79 not out, Kyle Jamieson career best 35; Jeetan Patel 4-80)
Canterbury wicketkeeper Cameron Fletcher broke his team's record for most dismissals in a first-class season on this day, eclipsing the man who is now CEO of Canterbury Cricket, Lee Germon.
"Moving day" was all in Canterbury's favour as captain Peter Fulton enforced the follow-on.
Even with Murdoch's timely hundred, the Firebirds had gathered only 201 for their first innings reply, which meant they trailed by a big margin of 229. Andrew Ellis had led the bowling attack, claiming 4-32.
By stumps, their match position had worsened, 55/2 in their second attempt.
DAY ONE
Stumps score: Canterbury 356/6 (Chad Bowes 81, Peter Fulton 76, Ken McClure 118, Todd Astle 52 not out; Jeetan Patel 3-67) at the Basin Reserve on 30 March 2016
Canterbury captain Peter Fulton would be the last to let his 10,000 first-class runs milestone overshadow the work of the team.
As it turned out, Fulton got his wish, a big day at the Basin topped by 21-year-old Ken McClure's second Plunket Shield century for Canterbury.
McClure, who broke through with his whopping maiden ton in round seven, this time found 118 to help push the red and black visitors towards 350/6 by stumps.
Talented Ken McClure is averaging above 50 in his debut season. PHOTOSPORT
He fell in the twilight of the day, but the Canterbury line-up had done the work to put themselves in good stead for a strong finish to a bittersweet Plunket Shield summer.
McClure is averaging more than 50 in his debut season, and had added 152 for the sixth wicket with Todd Astle, unbeaten on 52 at stumps; and came after Chad Bowes had impressed with 81 as he and Fulton (76) laid the groundwork with 128 for the second wicket.
Chad Bowes reaching his half century. PHOTOSPORT
The Firebirds’ attack had been weakened from the loss of Brent Arnel in the previous round, Jamie Gibson coming in on debut.
Veteran offspinner Jeetan Patel led the way this time with 3-67 from 26 overs, picking up a double wicket maiden along the way with the wickets of Leo Carter (at five) and Andy Ellis; while paceman Matt Bacon took 2-75 — including the wicket of McClure.
