Flynn power sets up Northern Districts win

Northern Districts inflicted a first defeat of the competition on Canterbury at the Hadley Oval in Christchurch to remain top of the table. A century opening stand between Anton Devcich and Daniel Flynn provided the platform for Northern Districts' total of 184 for 6 - the second highest so far in the Georgie Pie Super Smash - which was enough for a 20-run win.

Canterbury's chase got off to a decent start, with Neil Broom and Ronnie Hira adding 66 before Daniel Vettori made the breakthrough. Hira, in his new role as an opener, made his highest T20 score of 44 before becoming the second wicket to fall and Canterbury lost their way as the run rate rose. Canterbury captain Peter Fulton put on 46 with Brendon Diamanti but Scott Kuggeleijn removed both as the last seven wickets fell for 24.

Both Devcich and Flynn recorded half-centuries as they set up the Northern Districts innings in some style. Flynn cracked eight fours and three sixes in 67 off 40 balls before falling with the score on 116 - Logan van Beek was the bowler and he also removed Devcich for 50, despite only being given two overs. None of the other Canterbury bowlers managed any control as Vettori and Daryl Mitchell pushed on to a winning total.

In Dunedin, Otago lost for the fifth match in a row as Central Districts chased down a sub-par total with six wickets and five balls to spare. George Worker struck four sixes in his 47 off 30 balls to get the visitors off to a positive start in pursuit of 135 to win and although Dirk Nannes induced a wobble with two wickets, Will Young's unbeaten 39 sealed the result.

The Central Districts seamers did most of the damage as Otago struggled to build a substantial score. Their best partnership was a stand of 57 in 7.1 overs between Iain Robertson and wicketkeeper Derek de Boorder, who top-scored with 45 off 30 balls. Seth Rance dismissed de Boorder, as well as the dangerous Jesse Ryder in his first over, while Adam Milne had figures of 4-1-30-3. Milne removed a chunk of the Otago middle order, including captain Ryan ten Doeschate for 28, and there were also a couple of run-outs as the bottom side - and finalists in each of the last two years - were dismissed with five balls of their innings unbowled.