Jones and Horne seal Auckland victory

Auckland 404 and 223 for 3 (R Jones 110, M Horne 76) beat Central Districts 350 and 275 (Griggs 77*, Canning 4-65) by 7 wickets
Scorecard

Auckland's domination of the State Championship continued with a comfortable seven-wicket win over Central Districts at Eden Park's Outer Oval. Auckland now sit at the head of the points table having taken maximum points from their three games.

Resuming at 274 for 8, CD lost their last two wickets within the first four overs of the day as Bevan Griggs was left stranded on 77. Tama Canning turned out to be the most effective bowler with 4 for 65. Chasing 222 for a win, Auckland were never in any sort of trouble as Richard Jones and Matt Horne combined in a 172-run opening stand, a record opening partnership for Auckland against Central Districts, and steered them towards the target. Jones stroked 16 fours in his composed 110, his sixth first-class century, and Horne supported him with a steady 72. Both batsmen fell to Jamie How but by then the game was all but sealed.

Otago 308 and 242 for 7 dec (Sheed 89, Todd 59*) beat Canterbury 198 and 238 (McMillan 82, Wilson 4-46) by 114 runs
Scorecard

Greg Todd helped extend Otago's lead to 352 before Jeff Wilson's four-wicket haul helped them pull off a 114-run win over Canterbury in Dunedin. Todd, who smashed eight fours in his 59, received good support from the tailenders as Otago stretched their lead in the morning session. The bowlers then responded to the call and wrapped up the Canterbury innings just before the overs ran out.

Craig McMillan played the lone hand for Canterbury with a fighting 82 but the Otago trio of Jeff Wilson, he will play for New Zealand against the FICA World XI, James McMillan and Brad Scott completed a fine win.