A Kane Williamson half-century Northern Districts replaced Central Districts as National Provincial A leaders after a 41-run defeat of Wellington at Lincoln Green.
New Zealand Under-19 Williamson progressed to 92 as ND put on a substantial 291 for six having been invited to bat first.
Wellington’s reply endured a torrid start, falling to 24 for four, before BJ Crook and Josh Brodie put on a stand of 145, Crook providing 84 and Brodie 75.
However, ND limited the innings to 250 to earn victory and first place in the standings.
A century from Otago’s Leighton Morgan accounted for Central Districts at Lincoln No. 3 Oval.
Morgan and Shaun Haig put on 118 for the first wicket, Morgan moving on to make 106 after Haig’s 50.
Marcel McKenzie and Jordan Sheed continued piling on the runs and at the end of 50 overs Otago posted an impressive 303 for five.
CD’s top order made starts, but only Sam Curtis scored over 50 with 63 off 90 balls, and Dion Lobb’s four for 32 was influential as the reply stalled at 213 in 45.5 overs.
Auckland won the toss and inserted Canterbury at Rangiora’s MainPower Oval.
Openers Todd Astle and Tim Papps put on 103 for the first wicket, Astle adding 46 and Papps 63.
Canterbury amassed 216 for nine at the end of 50 overs, with Gareth Hayne taking 4/25.
Auckland fell to 20/2 but Keeley Todd (57) and Andrew de Boorder (42) combined to put on 87 for the third wicket. Todd made 57 off 72 balls and de Boorder 42 off 62 balls.
Colin de Grandhomme then scored an unbeaten 68 off 55 balls to claim a five-wicket win.
Short scorecards
Otago 303/5 (Leighton Morgan 106, Shaun Haig 50, Marcel McKenzie 56, George Worker 3/51) beat Central Districts 213 (Sam Curtis 63, Dion Lobb 4/32) by 90 runs
Canterbury 216/9 (Todd Astle 46, Tim Papps 63, Gareth Hayne 4/25) lost to Auckland 219/5 (Keeley Todd 57, Andrew De Boorder 42, Colin de Grandhomme 68*) by 5 wickets
Northern Districts 291/6 (Kane Williamson 92, Grant Robinson 45, Ryan Shutte 67) beat Wellington 250 (B.J Crook 84, Josh Brodie 75) by 41 runs
Points table
(After four rounds)
Northern Districts 16
Central Districts 13
Wellington 10
Auckland 8
Otago 7
Canterbury 0
