Van Beek's maiden 10-for keeps Wellington streak alive

A brave fight put up by Northern Districts, with wicketkeeper Tim Seifert coming out to bat after retiring hurt on the final day, was ultimately in vain as Wellington clinched their third victory in as many Plunket Shield games. Logan van Beek provided the star turn, picking up 6 for 57, which then took his match tally to 10 for 117. It was the first 10-wicket haul in first-class cricket for the seam-bowling allrounder, who has also played international cricket for Netherlands

Van Beek, 27, was instrumental in reclaiming lost momentum for Wellington. After they had put up a mammoth 380 in the first innings - led by fifties from Stephen Murdoch (97), Luke Woodcock (61) and Fraser Colson (52) - they stumbled to 158 all out in the second. James Baker, the 29 year old seamer playing his 50th first-class game, picked up 4 for 34. Brent Arnel, the workhorse who took 5 for 73 in 34.2 overs in the first innings, took 2 for 22.

Northern Districts had to chase a target of 290. However, they ran into problems when van Beek struck twice in the 12th over to remove opener HR Cooper and the No. 3 Bharat Popli. The captain Daniel Flynn fell in the 21st and Seifert had to retire hurt a little later with the score on 103 for 3. Dean Brownlie top-scored with 72 off 117, but did not last long enough to truly worry Wellington. Hamish Bennett had him lbw to leave Northern Districts at 143 for 5 and van Beek took over from there, knocking over the tail and forcing Seifert to return to the crease. He made 43 off 92 balls and was the ninth man out with the score on 206. One run later, the game was done.

Brownlie was the only Northern Districts batsman who consistently troubled the visitors, top-scoring in the first innings as well - 82 out of a total of 249. That left Wellington with a handy lead of 131, which in the end, proved more than decisive.