Northern, Canterbury and Otago take bonus points at Provincial A

Posted Tuesday, 3 January, 2012 in Domestic News

Northern Districts unbeaten after two rounds

Northern Districts, Canterbury and Otago all had big wins in today’s second round of play at the National Provincial A tournament in Lincoln, with all three teams coming away with a bonus point.

Northern eased to a 104 run victory over Wellington with Mitchell Santner (61) and Jono Boult (54) hitting half-centuries to help their team through to 268. Boult then backed up his fine batting with three for 29, helping restrict Wellington to 164. Northern, who yesterday edged past Canterbury by four runs, are the only unbeaten team after two 50-over fixtures.

Otago captain Iain Robertson led from the front with a hard hit 98 to help his side post 311 before the bowlers rolled Central Districts for 219 in the 42nd over to complete a 93 run win. Robertson was supported by Hamish Rutherford who struck 70.

Canterbury were the other winners on day two with their bowlers keeping Auckland to 145 before the batsmen reached 147 for four in 37.4 overs to secure a six wicket win. New ball bowler Willie Lonsdale was the pick of the Canterbury attack, ripping out the top order and finishing with figures of four for 20. All of the top six pitched in for Canterbury with Cole McConchie’s unbeaten 45 the best.