What made today's exploit remarkable was it came after Wellington had skittled Auckland for a meagre 62 in only 23 overs. At the halfway stage, Wellington, with 553 for three declared, had the heavily plumped cushion of a 491-run lead, and that was well before the end of day two.
By stumps tonight, Auckland had limped to 73 for one, with test opener Jeet Raval on 39. That left them trailing the hosts by the small matter of 418 runs.
It's been a shocker for Auckland.
On day one, they were flattened by Wellington's bowlers and pounded by two batsmen, combined age 73, and today it was more of the same.
Auckland's bowlers were unable to staunch the flow.
''I hadn't done too well in pre-season so to go out and get a start and kick on has been really satisfying," Papps, 38, said.
Papps, who has been travelling the country's first-class roads since 1998, finished with the fifth highest score by a New Zealander -- and his 32nd first-class century.
Allrounder Woodcock got his 10th century, 151 and departed just 35 run short of Crowe and Jones' mark.
Papps batted a few minutes over nine hours and hit a whopping 51 fours - easily the most in a first-class innings in New Zealand and 26 more than his partner.
How the Auckland bowlers must have been heartily sick of the sight of him by the time the declaration arrived.
At Mt Maunganui, Northern Districts' batsmen filled their boots, the first five batsmen all passed 60 as they endeavoured to make up for having lost the first day to rain. By stumps they were 378 for four.
A bizarre dismissal involving former international umpire Brent Bowden was an unusual high point of the second day of Canterbury's match against Otago.
Having shaken his head to give Otago batsman Brad Wilson not out after he attempted a hook at seamer Will Williams, with the players standing about, Bowden waited a few seconds, slowly walked forward then raised a finger. Bemusement reigned.
Canterbury start the third day today at 156 for four, leading by 95 overall.
