The Central Stags could only manage first innings points against Northern Knights in Whangarei but they retain their 14-point over the rest of the field.
Northern resumed today at 63 for three, still trailing by 92 runs at Cobham Oval, and were eventually bowled out in their second innings for 275, leaving the visitors a victory target of 121 runs in 14 overs.
The chase was never on after the two key players, Peter Ingram and Kieran Noema-Barnett, were both run out inside three overs, and Central Districts were 28 for three when the teams agreed to pull the pin after six overs.
BJ Watling and Brook Hatwell thwarted the visitors for much of the day, adding 147 runs for the fourth wicket. Watling fell one run short of a century when he smacked a leg stump full toss from legspinner Tarun Nethula straight to backward square leg, while Hatwell made 71.
Day 3: Ingram guides Stags to strong position
Runaway leaders the Central Stags look to have started 2011 how they finished 2010 after moving into a strong position midway through their Plunket Shield four-day cricket match against the Northern Knights at Whangarei's Cobham Oval.
A 14th first-class hundred from hard-hitting opener Peter Ingram, who scored 105 and in the process became his major association's second highest runscorer behind Mathew Sinclair, provided the backbone today as Central Districts reached 230 for four in reply to Northern Districts' first innings tally of 342.
Ingram smacked 13 fours in his 175-ball knock, which saw him edge past Mike Shrimpton into second spot on Central Districts' runscoring list.
He put on 164 runs for the first wicket with George Worker, who made 52, and although the visitors, who have three outright wins from three matches, lost four wickets for 66 in the final session they still hold the advantage heading into the third day.
Day 1: Flynn hits ton on day one against Central
At Whangarei, former international Daniel Flynn notched his seventh first class hundred, scoring 131 as the Northern Knights reached 314 for seven at stumps on the first day of their match against runaway competition leaders the Central Stags.
Flynn held the top order together then shared in a 112-run partnership for the fifth wicket with wicketkeeper Peter McGlashan (53).
The compact left-hander struck 17 fours in his 201-ball knock before he became one of Kieran Noema-Barnett's three victims.
McGlashan also fell to the medium pacer, who ended the day with the standout figures of three for 38 from 14 overs to be the best of the visiting bowlers. Michael Mason took two for 51 from 19 overs.
Graeme Aldridge (31 not out) will resume tomorrow with Trent Boult, who is unbeaten on four.
NZPA
