All-round Northern Districts secure spot in final

Northern Districts booked their spot in the final of the HRV Cup, where they will meet Otago, after beating Auckland in a day-night match at Seddon Park. A fifty by Daniel Harris, and a pair of 40s by Daryl Mitchell and Scott Styris powered Northern Districts to 200 before a combined performance by the bowlers contributed to a 40-run win.

Northern Districts were given a good foundation thanks to 40-plus stands for the second and third wicket, both involving Harris. Harris made 56 off 38 balls before he was the fourth man out at 112 in the 14th over, bowled by James Fuller. It set the stage for an explosive stand of 70 in just 5.2 overs between Styris and Mitchell. Styris made 43 off 20 while Mitchell remained unbeaten on 42. Auckland got off to a poor start in their chase, losing two wickets in the first over. Craig Cachopa and Chris Nash added 68 for the third wicket but that was the only stand of note. Anton Devcich broke the stand by getting rid of Cachopa for 47 and from then on, Auckland struggled to put on partnerships. Devcich, Trent Boult and Ish Sodhi took three wickets apiece as the hosts registered their sixth win.

Canterbury 155 for 2 (Brownlie 86, Worker 53*) beat Wellington 154 for 6 (Franklin 43) by eight wickets
Scorecard

Fifties by George Worker and Dean Brownlie, who scored an unbeaten 86, helped Canterbury comprehensively beat Wellington by eight wickets at the Hagley Oval. Wellington got off to a strong start after opting to bat, with the openers adding 47 in six overs. However, they lost three quick wickets before the tenth over. With the score on 55 for 3, James Franklin and Stephen Murdoch led the recovery with a stand of 46. Franklin top-scored with 43 off 26 balls with two fours and four sixes. Wellington finished on 154 for 6, which they later found out was hardly enough to challenge the hosts.

Canterbury lost Rob Nicol early in the chase, but Brownlie and Worker added 119 in ten overs to ensure a quick finish. Brownlie's 86 came off just 36 balls, including 11 fours and five sixes, before he was bowled by Dane Hutchinson. Worker remained unbeaten on 53 as Canterbury registered their third win, with 33 balls to spare.