Aldridge, Williamson star in nine-wicket win

Graeme Aldridge's incisive spell on the opening day, and Kane Williamson's stroke-filled 170, paved the way for Northern Districts' nine-wicket win against Wellington at Basin Reserve.

Things went to plan right from the toss for Northern, as Wellington struggled to come to terms with Aldridge after being asked to bat. Openers Neal Parlane and Cameron Merchant fell early in the first morning and the hosts were never recovered. Chris Nevin's fighting 53 took them close to 200, before Aldridge finished the innings with a six-for.

When BJ Watling fell for a duck in Northerns' reply, Wellington sensed an opportunity to claw back into contention. But their hopes were shattered by Michael Parlane and Williamson, who added 145 runs to give their side the advantage. Parlane fell shortly after reaching 50, but Williamson had his eyes set on a huge score. His attractive innings included 24 fours and came at a brisk pace to put Wellington out of the game. Useful contributions from Hamish Marshall, Daniel Flynn, Peter McGlashan and Aldridge pushed the visitors' score to 400, a mammoth 203 runs ahead of Wellington.

Fighting to make Northern bat a second time, Wellington's batsmen made a marginal improvement in the second innings. Neal Parlane and Stephen Murdoch hit 70s but could not kick on to make more substantial contributions that may have given the visitors a tricky fourth-innings target. As it transpired, Northern needed only 42 runs and they raced home for the loss of Watling's wicket.