Canterbury's grip on the Plunket Shield has only tightened halfway through the final round, with the leaders' nearest challengers labouring in their late bids to steal the silverware.
Auckland and Northern Districts both required outright victories this week to have any hope of claiming the title, but both will need to spark revivals tomorrow to keep alive their faint prospects.
In a match plagued by foul weather, Auckland today faltered with the bat and were luckless with the ball in Napier, allowing Central Districts to take control of the clash after two days.
Beginning on 57-3, Colin Munro's half-century was the only innings of significance as Navin Patel took 5-71 and Auckland stumbled to 200-9 declared. The hosts then advanced to 65-1 in reply, leaving them trailing by 135 runs and leaving Auckland in dire need of quick wickets tomorrow morning.
The task facing Northern Districts appears even more monumental, after Anaru Kitchen blasted his maiden first-class double-century to put Otago firmly in charge in Dunedin.
