Northern Districts, Canterbury register wins

Northern Districts overcame Auckland in comprehensive fashion, rolling them over for 74 before surging to victory in 9.3 overs at Colin Maiden Park in Auckland. Nothing went right for the home side barring the toss, and opener Jimmy Adams' run-out in the first over heralded a quick top-order collapse. Adams, Dusan Hakaraia, Anaru Kitchen, Lou Vincent and Colin Munro contributed a grand total of three runs as Auckland hurtled to 21 for 6. Bradley Cachopa and Roneel Hira resisted briefly ensuring they crossed 50. Bradley Scott and Graeme Aldridge were the pick of the bowlers, sharing five wickets between them. Northern Districts lost Peter McGlashan for a duck early in the chase, but the experienced Australian import Brad Hodge went on the offensive to seal a clinical victory.

Canterbury opened their HRV Cup campaign with a nervy three-wicket victory against Wellington at Basin Reserve in Wellington. Canterbury began strongly after winning the toss, troubling Wellington opener Neal Parlane before removing him cheaply in the fourth over. Stewart Rhodes also struggled to get going, but the in-form Michael Pollard kept Wellington ticking with 54 off 41 balls. Netherlands allrounder Ryan ten Doeschate checked the scoring in the middle overs with two wickets. Luke Wright, however, struck an attacking, unbeaten 45 to give his side late momentum and help them set a target of 149. Rob Nicol spanked seven fours in his 30 to set up Canterbury's chase, but some tight bowling from seamer Ronald Karaitiana and left-arm spinner Luke Woodcock brought Wellington back into the match. ten Doeschate rose to the occasion once again, scoring a calm 41 to keep his side in the chase. Woodcock struck twice in the 18th over, leaving Canterbury requiring 25 off 15 balls with four wickets in hand. ten Doeschate's exit reduced the equation to 11 off 9, but tail-enders Andrew Ellis and Todd Astle were on hand to hit the winning runs with two balls to spare.

The win puts Canterbury on four points, tied with four of the five other teams in the competition, but having played one lesser game. Otago are yet to open their account and are at the bottom of the table after one match.