Canterbury and Auckland will face each other for the second day in succession when they meet in the final of the 2010 National Under-19 championship in Auckland tomorrow.
Auckland had the upper hand over Canterbury today in a rain-shortened match – winning by 55 runs – but the two teams go into tomorrow’s final evenly matched. They are equal on points, with just one loss each, and have been clear of the field throughout the tournament.
On a rain-affected day at Te Atatu Park, Auckland, all matches in today’s final preliminary round were reduced to 40 overs. Auckland posted 178 for seven in their 40 overs, Jimmy Neesham and David Goddard both scoring 37. Auckland then dominated with the ball, dismissing Canterbury well short on 123. Goddard backed up his batting effort taking four for 33, while Jeffrey Case top scored for Canterbury with 41.
The highest-scoring game of the day was between Otago and Northern Districts. Batting first Otago amassed 289 for eight, with captain Michael Bracewell hitting 71. Northern Districts made a positive challenge but lost wickets too quickly, being all out in the 38th over still 40 runs short. Steve Cullingworth and Jono Hickey both scored half-centuries for Northern.
Central Districts cantered to a comfortable win over Wellington after putting 182 for five on the board. Ben Smith, with an unbeaten 57, topped the scoring. Wellington were dismissed for 127 in the 38th over.
While Auckland and Canterbury battle for the national title tomorrow, the other playoffs with see Central Districts and Otago contest 3rd and 4th places, while Northern Districts and Wellington play off for 5th and 6th.
Scorecards:
Central Districts 182/5 (B Smith 57no, D Cleaver 41) defeated Wellington127 in 37.3 overs (H Boam 38) by 55 runs.
Otago 289/8 (M Bracewell 71, A Simpson 43, D Willemsen 36, G Spittle 34, B Cant 32; S Cullingworth 3/46) defeated Northern Districts249 in 37.2 overs (S Cullingworth 56, J Hickey 50; R Flaws 4/29, D Duke 3/31, M Bracewell 3/27) by 40 runs.
Auckland 178/7 (D Goddard 37, J Neesham 37, M Selby 33no) defeated Canterbury123 in 31.4 overs (J Case 41; D Goddard 4/33) by 55 runs.
Download the day three short scorecards and full points table »
Points Table (end of Round 5)
Auckland - 19
Canterbury - 19
Central Districts - 12.5
Otago - 12
Northern Districts - 5
Wellington - 0
* CD were penalised for a slow over rate on Day 1.
Draw for Finals, Monday 21 December:
All games at Te Atatu Park, Auckland
Final: Auckland v Canterbury
3rd / 4th Playoff: Central Districts v Otago
5th / 6th Playoff: Northern Districts v Wellington
