Rain forces a draw at Seddon Park

Persistent rain on the fourth day robbed Northern Districts of a chance to push for their first win in the Plunket Shield as they drew the match against Canterbury at Seddon Park in Hamilton. Only 27 overs were possible on the last day as rains washed out almost two sessions. Northern Districts, who had set a target of 425 runs for Canterbury, managed to pick up two wickets in the time possible, with Peter Fulton staying unbeaten on 68.

Northern Districts had put themselves in a strong position after a dominant second-innings performance that helped the team declare on 410 for 5, with opening batsman Joseph Yovich scoring 128 and four other batsmen following up with half-centuries. Yovich shared two century partnerships, with James Marshall for the second wicket and Daryl Mitchell for the fourth. After Yovich's dismissal, BJ Watling and Corey Anderson scored two more half-centuries and pushed the score over 400, giving the team just over a day to bowl Canterbury out.

The batsmen struggled in the first two innings. Canterbury had put Northern Districts in and struck early. But Yovich and Marshall strung an 86-run stand to help Northern Districts made gradual progress. But Ryan McCone triggered a collapse when he had Marshall out for 47. McCone picked up three more wickets and received support from Gareth Andrew who picked up three as Northern Districts were bowled out for 200.

Canterbury's response was disastrous to start with - they lost their first six wickets for only 35 - but a 97-run stand between Todd Astle, who scored 53, and Andrew, who scored a 69-ball 89, brought the innings score to a comparable 186. Graeme Aldridge was the most successful bowler with 5 for 45.