Fulton, Nicholls steer Canterbury to bonus-point win

Fifties from Peter Fulton and Henry Nicholls stretched Canterbury's unbeaten run in this season's Ford Trophy to five, as they collected a six-wicket victory against Auckland.

Chasing 244, Fulton and Nicholls built on Ronnie Hira and Tom Latham's strong start. The pair added 82 for the third wicket at a brisk pace before Nicholls fell to Lachie Ferguson with the score at 181 in the 32nd over. Fulton, however, continued his assault, smashing five fours and four sixes in his 55-ball 65. He was dismissed four overs after Nicholls, but by then Canterbury were just 28 runs away from the target with over 14 overs in hand. Todd Astle and Andrew Ellis took the visitors home in 37.4 overs, further strengthening Canterbury's position at the top of the table.

In the first innings, Auckland were guided to 243 for 7 by wicketkeeper Brad Cachopa's 107. Cachopa walked in in the fourth over and dropped anchor for the hosts, batting till the last over of the innings. He was unable to build partnerships with the middle order as quick wickets reduced Auckland to 164 for 6. Donovan Grobbelaar then slammed an unbeaten 45, adding 75 with Cachopa for the seventh boost Auckland in the death.