The Canterbury Wizards had to settle for first innings points against the Central Stags after both tams ran out of time to earn an outright result.
Central resumed their second innings today at 314 for five, a lead of 302, and after a one-hour delay because of dew on the field they pressed on to score another 79 runs from 20 overs before declaring at 393 for six, setting the hosts an imposing target of 382 runs at about five an over.
Canterbury scored at a good clip of four runs an over but they never really looked like threatening the target, ending on 253 for four when the teams agreed to pull stumps with 15 overs remaining. Shanan Stewart was 79 not out while captain Peter Fulton made 66.
Earlier, Mathew Sinclair moved through from his overnight score of 107 to end Central's innings unbeaten on 151. \Day 3: Sinclair leads Central with unbeaten 107
run chase was on the cards in Rangiora where competition leaders the Central Stags lead the Canterbury Wizards by 302 runs with five wickets in hand.
Former BLACKCAP Mathew Sinclair put a poor season by his standards behind him to register his 31st first-class ton to be unbeaten on 197 as Central ended 314 for five at the close.
He was ably assisted by George Worker who made 88.
Canterbury earlier pulled the pin on their first innings at 296 for eight, a lead of 12 runs, after Dean Brownlie fell three runs short of a century. Brownlie, who was 43 not out overnight, added 54 runs before he fell to paceman Michael Mason.
Leg-spinner Tarun Nethula was the best of Central bowlers with four for 88.
Day 2: Wizards trail by 99
Andy Ellis claimed his second five-wicket bag for the Canterbury Wizards as competition leaders the Central Stags were dismissed for 284 at MainPower Oval in Rangiora.
Ellis, who has enjoyed a fine season with both bat and ball, took career-best figures of six for 54 and included top-scorer Kruger van Wyk (57) among his victims.
Canterbury captain Peter Fulton led the reply for the home side, but he became left-armer Ben Wheeler's third victim when he was trapped lbw for 52.
The hosts were 185 for four at stumps, 99 runs behind Central.
Day 1: Stags in trouble on rain affected day
Competition leaders Central Stags were forced to wait until rain cleared at Rangiora before play began at 4.30pm against Canterbury Wizards and were in a spot of bother when play for the day ended 37 overs later.
They had reached 154 for five with allrounder Andy Ellis claiming three for 19. Ellis removed Mathew Sinclair but not before the former BLACKCAP got the 12 runs he needed to bring up 12,000 first-class runs.
Tim Weston was the last wicket to fall after a hard-hit 44.
NZPA
