The top of the table clash was a tightly fought contest with Auckland edging past Canterbury and consolidate their place as competition leaders. Northern Districts defended a low total to overtake Central Districts and Canterbury while Wellington beat bottom placed Otago to jump into fourth spot.
Northern Districts v Central Districts
Full scorecard - http://scoring.blackcaps.co.nz/livescoring/match1012/scorecard.aspx
Northern Districts were able to sneak past Central Districts by 14 runs after defending a low first innings total.
After being put into bat, Northern Districts made a sloppy start with their top three out in less than three overs with just 18 runs on the board. A brilliant 105 run partnership between Ben Hyde (51) and Luke Williamson (49) steadied the innings, taking the score to 123 before another collapse saw them crumble to 156 for eight. A rearguard 23 form Josef Walker helped them through to 186 for nine. The Central wickets were shared between Daniel Ingram (two for 11), Robbie Yule (two for 21) and Daniel Wrightman (two for 25).
Central also lost early wickets in reply but captain William Young (47) and Mitchell Renwick (23) got the run chase back on track. The loss of Renwick brought about the wobbles with Central losing eight wickets for just 52 runs to leave them reeling at 116 for nine. A remarkable last wicket partnership took them close with Ingram the man dismissed for 40 and Wrightman left stranded on 23 not out with 172 on the board and eight balls to be bowled. Josef Walker was the pick of the Northern bowlers taking three for 30 off ten overs.
Wellington v Otago
Full scorecard - http://scoring.blackcaps.co.nz/livescoring/match1011/scorecard.aspx
Otago fell painfully short, losing by 12 runs, in their 50-over match against Wellington.
Wellington’s 241 was largely thanks to a cracking 94 off 95 deliveries from middle order batsman Henry Walsh and a measured 54 off 92 by first drop Andrew Fletcher. Otago fast bowler Jacob Duffy was impressive, removing both openers cheaply and going on to finish with four for 54.
Otago’s middle order batsmen Michael Collins struck a useful 79 off 97 with the rest of the specialist batsmen struggling to make any significant contribution. The tail scrambled but were left with to much to do and eventually fell for 229 in 48.4 overs. Walsh backed up his impressive batting with three for 45 while Sean O’Connor conceded just 38 runs in his ten overs.
Canterbury v Auckland
Full scorecard - http://scoring.blackcaps.co.nz/livescoring/match1010/scorecard.aspx
Auckland notched up another win in the second 50-over, beating Canterbury by five wickets with one over to spare.
Canterbury, who won the toss, batted for all but one ball of their 50 overs, reaching a respectable 230. Arnie Yugaraja made the only score for note with a pacey 63 off 64 with the rest of the line up chipping in around him. Auckland’s new ball bowler Sean Solia only got through 5.3 overs but took three for 25 with Wesley Jarman and Simon Hickey picking up two apiece.
The Auckland run chased was well paced with opener Ben Horne striking a responsible 60 off 104 to anchor the innings. The Canterbury batsmen chipped away and the wicket of Horne in the 34th over kept them in the match. However, Nathan Williamson made sure Auckland got home with a blistering 74 off 57 deliveries in an innings studded with eight boundaries and three sixes.
Points table
Auckland – 15
Canterbury – 8
Northern Districts – 8
Wellington – 6
Central Districts – 5
Otago – 0
