Orchard and Marshall script Northern's tense win

James Marshall's half-century and a superb allround performance from Mark Orchard led Northern Districts to a thrilling one-run victory in the State Twenty20 match against Central Districts at Hamilton. Set 145 to win, Central finished on 143 for 9 at the end of 20 overs.

After choosing to bat, Northern got off to a disastrous start by losing their openers for 13 in three overs. Marshall blitzed away at one end scoring 54 off 35 balls but wickets kept falling at the other end. He fell with the score on 92 for 6 in the 13th over and it was left to Orchard to steer Northern to 144 with an unbeaten 28 off 22 balls. Brendon Diamanti was Central's best bowler with 3 for 24 off four overs.

Central's openers put on 34 in quick time before Daryl Tuffey dismissed both Geoff Barnett and Jamie How in the fifth over. Orchard then broke Central's chase by dismissing Matthew Sinclair, Jacob Oram and Bevan Griggs. He finished with 3 for 26 to complement his effort with the bat. Central were reduced to 102 for 7 but Ewen Thompson's 27 brought them within striking distance of the target. With seven needed off five balls, Thompson was bowled by Ian Butler and Northern managed to clinch a narrow victory.