Ewen Thompson claimed the top five wickets of the State Northern Knights order to secure an 84-run victory for State Central Stags at Whangarei.
Defending a modest 219 for eight, Thompson accounted for the upper half of the ND batting line up as they fell from 56 without loss to 135 all out.
Greg Hay, with 83 not out, and Tim Weston (55) accounted for the bulk of the Stags’ runs in a fifth-wicket stand of 103.
BLACKCAPS Jamie How (27) and Ross Taylor (32) set CD on their way but the visitors were pegged back to 84 for four before the middle-order stand.
The Knights reply began promisingly with openers Nick Horsley and BJ Watling notching 29 and 21 respectively in a half-century partnership.
But their plans were derailed by Thompson, who took care of the top order threats, before How and Brendon Diamanti took two wickets apiece to wrap up the win.
