The State Central Stags, helped by useful contributions from the lower order, took first innings points against State Otago Volts at McLean Park in Napier today.
But the match is evenly poised going into the final day of their State Championship match with Otago on 211 for six in their second innings.
They hold a lead of 190 after dismissing Central for 378 in reply to their first innings of 357.
Resuming on their overnight score of 316 for seven today, Central's tailenders added another 63 runs to ensure first innings points.
Bowler Ewen Thompson, 19 not out overnight, departed for 36 with Central still 10 runs short of clinching first innings points.
But Richard Sherlock, 36 not out, and Tim Weston, 23, shared a 30-run partnership for the ninth wicket to pass Otago's first innings score.
Otago were in trouble early in their second innings at 48 for four in the 20th over as Mitchell McClenaghan dismissed openers, Craig Cumming for one and Shaun Haig for 27.
Jacob Oram chimed in with the wicket of Neil Broom for nought, and then Hamish Rutherford was run out after scoring just one run.
Greg Todd and Nathan McCullum shared a 71-run stand for the fifth wicket before McCullum was bowled by George Worker for 44 with the score on 119.
Todd and wicketkeeper Derek de Border put on 66 runs for the sixth wicket before Thompson finally removed Todd for 74 with a catch to Brad Patton.
Earlier, Todd had brought up his 10th first-class 50 which contained three boundaries off 142 balls.
NZPA
