KEY POINTS:
Central Districts took first innings points in their State Championship four-day cricket match with Otago at McLean Park in Napier yesterday.
But going into the final day, the match is evenly poised with Otago on 211 for six in their second innings.
They hold a lead of 190 after dismissing Central for 378 in reply to their first innings of 357.
Resuming on their overnight score of 316 for seven yesterday, Central's tailenders added another 63 runs to ensure first innings points.
Bowler Ewen Thompson, 19 not out overnight, departed for 36 with Central still 10 runs short of clinching first innings points.
But Richard Sherlock, 36 not out, and Tim Weston, 23, shared a 30-run partnership for the ninth wicket to pass Otago's first innings score.
Otago were in trouble early in their second innings at 48 for four in the 20th over as Micheal McClenaghan dismissed openers, Craig Cumming for one and Shaun Haig for 27.
Jacob Oram chimed in with the wicket of Neil Broom, for nought, and then Hamish Rutherford was run out after scoring just one run.
Greg Todd and Nathan McCullum shared a 71-run stand for the fifth wicket before McCullum was bowled by George Worker for 44 with the score on 119.
Todd and wicketkeeper Derek de Border put on 66 runs for the sixth wicket before Thompson finally removed Todd for 74 with a catch to Brad Patton.
Wellington moved unopposed to the top of the leaderboard yesterday after two rounds of the women's one-day league.
Backing up well after a six-wicket win over Northern Districts in Mt Maunganui on Saturday, Wellington notched up an equally convincing five-wicket win yesterday.
Northern set Wellington a competitive target of 245 for four. But aided by an unbeaten 83 from Sophie Devine, Wellington made it with four overs to spare.
In other games, Auckland made 177 for nine against Otago at Molyneux Park in Alexandra. Victoria Lind's 91 off 122 balls was a highlight. Emma Campbell and Tessa Hopkinson picked up four wickets apiece to keep Auckland to a manageable total.
Katey Martin's 50 off 63 balls and an unbeaten 45 from Abigail Kitchin saw Otago through for a six-wicket win in the 49th over.
Canterbury bounced back from Saturday's four-wicket loss.
Canterbury opted to bat first against defending champions Central Districts and weren't entirely convincing in making 186 for eight in their 50 overs, captain Haidee Tiffen leading the way with 69.
Kate Broadmore kept them in check with excellent figures of four for 11.
But apart from Sarah McGlashan's 69, Central lost wickets regularly and fell short, all out for 165 in the 50th over.
- NZPA
