Nicholls' 140 helps Canterbury prevail in thriller

Canterbury staved off a fightback from Northern Districts to clinch a two-run win with three balls to spare at Hagley Oval. Defending 275, Canterbury's bowlers, led by Tim Johnston (3-47), reduced Northern Districts to 98 for 5 in 24 overs. But a 104-run partnership between Daryll Mitchell and Tim Seifert kept the batting side in the game. Todd Astle broke the stand in the 41st over but Seifert stuck around, bringing up his maiden List A century off 85 balls.

He shepherded the chase to a point where they needed five runs off the last over. Pacer Logan van Beek, however, dismissed Ish Sodhi off the first ball and had Seifert caught behind off the third ball to seal the win. Seifert's 87-ball 104 had 11 fours and two sixes. Van Beek finished with 4 for 55, while Andrew Ellis also chipped in with two wickets. Earlier, Canterbury's innings was anchored by Henry Nicholls' 125-ball 140. The knock helped override a late wobble triggered by Scott Kuggeleign, who finished with 3 for 29. The innings received a lift courtesy cameos from Cole McConchie (28 not out) and Tim Johnston (27 not out).

Michael Rippon top-scored with 83 and then snared two wickets to help Otago beat Auckland by 33 runs in Invercargill. Otago's second win in six matches helped them steer four points clear of sixth-placed Central Districts.

Otago, sent in to bat, made 340 for 7. Rippon, who opened the innings, set the platform for a strong total courtesy a second-wicket stand of 83 with Sean Eathrone (41) before R Sandhu's triple-strike reduced them to 227 for 5. Josh Finnie led the revival, striking five fours and five sixes in his unbeaten 73 to take them close to the 350-mark.

Auckland openers Jeet Raval (63) and Glenn Phillips (41) put on 91 in 13.1 overs to keep them ahead of the asking rate. Sean Solia, the No. 3 batsman, made 64 to further strengthen their position. But the wickets of Mark Chapman and Solia in the space of four overs set them back. Rob Nicol kept the chase alive, striking a 45-ball 48, but a middle-order wobble escalated the asking rate and left them with too much to get. They finished with 307 for 7.

A washout at Basin Reserve ensured Wellington remained on top of the points table. Central Districts were well placed at 150 for 2 in 30 overs when the rain came down. In limited play that was possible, George Worker had moved to 80 not out. He built the innings with a 100-run stand for the second wicket with Will Young (44).