An impressive individual performance from Jono Boult helped Northern Districts to victory over Canterbury.
Boult made 100 before taking three for 43 as ND maintained leadership of the National Provincial A tournament with a 61-run win at Rangiora’s MainPower Oval.
ND progressed to 277 for seven, with the reply falling into immediate trouble at 7/2.
At one stage, Canterbury were 68 for six, but Lyndon Hoffman top scored with 72 off 64 balls, and an eighth-wicket partnership of 102 between Michael Davidson (63) and Brandon Hiini (52) forced a partial recovery.
However, Dan Robinson (4/44) and Boult led the ND attack and Canterbury was all out for 216 in 39.5 overs.
At Lincoln, Wellington claimed a bonus point win over Otago, and Auckland defeated Central Districts.
Wellington opener Josh Brodie scored 66, but his team lost regular wickets and were all out for 219.
Jordan Sheed made 46 but Otago’s reply never hit top gear, and they were all out for 154 in 40.5 overs.
An excellent fourth-wicket stand of 145 between Michael Taiaroa (73) and James de Terte (74) drove Central Districts to 260 for seven.
Anaru Kitchen (52), Colin De Grandhomme (69) and Rajiv Sharma (54) all made half-centuries as the target was achieved with 11 balls remaining and eight wickets down.
Short scorecards
Wellington 219 (Josh Brodie 66, Stephen Murdoch 37, Craig Smith 3/23) beat Otago 154 (Jordan Sheed 46) by 65 runs
Northern Districts 277/7 (Jono Boult 100, Ben Cochrane 37*) beat Canterbury 216 (Lyndon Hoffman 72, Michael Davidson 63, Brandon Hiini 52, Dan Robinson 4/44, Jono Boult 3/43) by 61 runs
Central Districts 260/7 (Michael Taiaroa 73, James de Terte 74, Lance Shaw 3/50) lost to Auckland 262/8 (Anaru Kitchen 52, Colin de Grandhomme 69, Rajiv Sharma 54, Scott Baldwin 3/53) by 2 wickets
Points table
(after five rounds)
Northern Districts 21
Wellington 15
Central Districts 13
Auckland 12
Otago 7
Canterbury 0
