Northern Districts hang on for a draw

Canterbury 461 (Stead 190, Bond 100) drew with Northern Districts 256 and 172 for 4
Scorecard

Northern Districts hung on for a draw on the final day of their State Shield match against Canterbury at the Village Green in Christchurch. After folding for 256 in their first innings and being asked to follow-on, they reached 172 for 4 on the final day before the match ended in a draw. Shane Bond was the star for Canterbury in the first innings, picking up 4-60. In the second innings he once again provided the early breakthrough, sending back Brad Wilson, the opener, with just 2 runs on the board. But, even when the next wicket fell on 33, Canterbury were able to resist, through Mark Orchard (60) and James Marshall (37).

Auckland 140 for 3 trail Central Districts 214 by 74 runs
Scorecard

No play was possible on the final day of Auckland's match against Central Districts, because of rain, and the match ended in a draw.

Wellington 168 (Ryder 81, Sewell 4-42) and 268 for 9 (Parlane 65) lead Otago 244 by 192 runs
Scorecard

Wellington erased Otago's 76-run first innings lead and helped themselves to a very healthy 192-run lead at the end of the third day's play at the Queenstown Events Centre. Wellington batted out the whole day, putting together 268 for 9, with Michael Parlane (65) leading the way. There were contributions from everyone in the top four, with 32 being the lowest score among them. This pushed the score on steadily through to 268 for 9, with one day to play.