A batting friendly wicket at Nelson Park in Napier saw the match between the Auckland Aces and Central Stags end in a draw.
Rain interrupted some of the match but the two teams still amassed 1,053 runs with just 21 wickets falling.
Auckland batted first, making 403 with Andrew de Border bringing up his maiden First-Class century but it was Central stalwart Mathew Sinclair who was the best on the park hitting 165 and guiding his team past the total to gain the two first innings points.
It was Sinclair’s 28th First-Class century and took his overall tally past 11,000 runs.
Resuming today on their overnight score of 14 without loss the Auckland Batsmen put on 232 for three to give them a lead of 217 but there was not time to put Central back in.
Aces openers Tim McIntosh (67) and Richard Jones (98) got some useful batting practice, putting on 138 for the first wicket with English import Ravi Bopara missing out with just 15.
At the close, Aranu Kitchen was 23 not out and Reece Young 15 not out. Central bowlers Michael Mason, Jeremy Kuru and George Worker were the wicket-takers.
Day 3: Auckland 14 without loss, trail Central by one run
The Central Stags secured first innings points against the Auckland Aces after scoring 418 for nine.
Prolific batsman Mathew Sinclair hit an effortless 165 to guide the Stags past Auckland’s sizable first innings total of 403. Sinclair was at the crease for over seven hours and hit 25 boundaries in 28th First Class century.
Brad Patton was also in good touch making 58 with Ewen Thompson and Kieran Noema-Barnett both contributing 32.
Aces pace bowler Michael Bates and leg spinner Tarun Nethula both took three wickets with Daryl Tuffey picking up two.
Openers Richard Jones (6) and Tim McIntosh (5) survived five overs at the end of the day and will resume tomorrow for Auckland.
Day 1: Auckland Aces 314 for six against Central Stags
Auckland Aces batsman Andrew de Booder hit his maiden First-Class on a rain interrupted day against the Central Stags at Nelson Park in Napier.
De Boorder hit 17 boundaries in his unbeaten 125 and was well supported by Daryl Tuffey who made 56. The pair put on 139 run partnership for the seventh wicket to help their team to a formidable first innings total of 403.
Young left-arm spinner George Worker was the pick of the Central bowlers taking two for 41.
The Central Stags made a solid start in reply putting on 47 for the first wicket but the loss of Peter Ingram for 21 sparked a collapse that saw them loose three wickets for 25 runs.
James How made 43 with Mathew Sinclair (10) and Brad Patton (2) the unbeaten batsmen. They will resume tomorrow on 84 for three.
Day 1: Auckland Aces 314 for six against Central Stags
The Auckland Aces took advantage of good batting conditions after winning the toss putting on 314 against the Central Stags at Nelson Park in Napier.
Central paceman Ewen Thompson had openers Tim McIntosh and Richard Jones back in the pavilion with 50 on the scoreboard but English International Ravi Bopara steadied the innings with a fine half century.
Captain Gareth Hopkins hit a watchful 61 before Andrew de Boorder came to the crease and crafted a classy unbeaten 80. De Boorder will resume tomorrow with Daryl Tuffey who is 20 not out.
Nineteen year old Doug Bracewell was the best of the Stags attack sneering two for 57 with Ewen Thompson picking up two for 61.
