BJ Watling led the State Northern Knights chase for first-innings points at Dunedin’s University Oval with an unbeaten 85 against State Otago Volts.
The South African-born youngster put on 122 in an opening stand with Alun Evans (58), as the Knights stood at 181 for three at stumps.
They remain 223 adrift of Otago’s 404 all out, attained in 114 overs and boosted by a last wicket stand of 57 between Matthew Harvie (34) and Nic Turner (27).