KEY POINTS:
Auckland have secured top place in the national one-day championship and will host the final on March 2.
They beat bottom-placed Northern Districts in a thriller at Seddon Park in Hamilton by five runs, under the Duckworth Lewis method.
Auckland made 278 for seven, with strong contributions from captain Richard Jones (77) and NZ squad member Scott Styris, who hit 72 off 69 balls, and wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins hit a valuable 43 not out off 31 balls.
ND were in business when recalled England opener Andrew Strauss hit 106. Wicketkeeper Peter McGlashan crashed 62 off 26 balls, with five sixes, but ND came up short, finishing on 272 for eight off their allowable 49 overs.
There is a four-way logjam to find the teams for the semifinal. Wellington beat Central Districts, reaching 274 for eight, courtesy of Neal Parlane's 65 and 45 from Stephen Fleming.
National team members Iain O'Brien and Jeetan Patel impressed as CD were dismissed for 253 with 2.2 overs left. O'Brien took four for 44 from his 10 overs, offspinner Patel got four for 47 from 9.4 overs. Bevan Griggs blazed 74 in 64 balls and Mathew Sinclair hit 69 for CD.
Canterbury's game with Otago in Christchurch was washed out, but they are still second.
In the final round on Wednesday, Auckland host CD at Eden Park, Wellington play Canterbury at the Basin Reserve and Otago face ND in Invercargill. Points after nine rounds: Auckland 29, Canterbury 21, Wellington 19, CD 18, Otago 18, ND 10.
