It was a case of "pretty much the same old story" for the Central Districts Stags who slumped to a 161-run defeat yesterday.
"We played good cricket but then we let ourselves down in patches," was the frank overview from the Devon Hotel-sponsored CD captainWilliam Young after they lost by 161 runs to the Canterbury Kings in Rangiora.
Unfortunately, the writing was on the wall for the Heinrich Malan-coached Stags at stumps in their four-day, first-class Budget Rental Plunket Shield match on Saturday night.
Needing to preserve wickets in their second dig from 35 overs, the visitors' top order crumbled for 100-5 with No5 Tom Bruce 37 not out and No7 Adam Milne yet to score after nightwatchman Ajaz Patel fell for a run to Matt Henry for his 100th first-class wicket.
"Brucey and Milney stuck at it today but it wasn't to be," Young lamented after Bruce (67 runs) and Milne (61) both fell to Todd Astle.
Legspinner Astle claimed his 10th first-class, five-wicket bag to ensure the defending champions cut the chalk with two sessions to spare. The Cantabrian also took his 250th first-class wicket and scored his 3000th first-class run during his unbeaten 96.
Henry also showed he is no mug with the bat, carving up a career-best 75 off 52 deliveries at No9 in the second innings although the hosts' fighting spirit was obvious in the first innings.
