Michael Parlane guided the State Northern Knights to the top of the table with an unbeaten century against the State Central Stags Cobham Oval in Whangarei.
Parlane hit eight fours and faced only 112 balls for his 111. He was supported by captain James Marshall who hit 64 as the Knights reached their target in the 42nd over.
Mitchell McClenaghan took three of the four Northern wickets to fall but went for 72 runs.
Earlier, Central scratched their way through their innings to be 235 all out in the last over.
Peter Ingram freed his arms at the top of the innings hitting 46 of 35, despite the early loss of Doug Bracewell (11), George Worker (7) and Jamie How (5).
It was the middle order that rebuilt the innings with Bevin Griggs making a patient 44, with only one boundary scored.
Batting at number seven, all-rounder Brendon Diamanti made a well crafted 56 to be the Stags highest scorer.
Northern bowler Brent Arnel took four for 26 off 8.2, included the scalps of the inform Ingram, Worker and Diamanti.
Young left armer, Trent Boult picked up three wickets and moves into the top ten for the State Sheild MVP for the first time this year.
The State Northern Knights now sit in first place after seven rounds with the State Central Stags slipping back to second.
