Northern Knights stand-in opener Brad Wilson ground out 26 runs from 74 balls in Whangarei yesterday after a late call-up to replace Knights skipper Daniel Flynn in the Plunket Shield match.
The right-hander was under fire from Central Stags Black Cap Doug Bracewell from the outset, on a Cobham Oval pitch that offered early assistance for the bowlers.
Wilson's fellow opener, Dean Brownlie, compiled an aggressive 58 runs off 69, continuing his fine form since his mammoth 334 run effort for Northern Districts against Central Districts last Monday.
The Knight's lifted their game later in the day but not without further loss.
BJ Watling, in his 100th first class game, went early for five, after Joe Carter (15) and Daryl Mitchell (22) got starts but couldn't push on.
