KEY POINTS:
Alun Evans and Hamish Marshall had compelling reasons to end the first-class season on a strong note at Seddon Park yesterday.
For Welshman Evans it was expected to be his last innings after three seasons with Northern Districts. Marshall simply wanted a good workout before flying out to join the New Zealand World Cup squad in Antigua last night, and to help his team win the State Championship title.
Both got what they wanted, sharing an unbroken 149-run third wicket partnership as ND drew the final with Canterbury to clinch the title by dint of finishing top qualifier.
The match was called off at tea, with ND 258 for two, chasing 374, the stocky Evans on 104, his first century of the season, and Marshall on 80. ND headed for their changing room and a raucous celebration song.
Yesterday morning, ND knew a draw was enough to win the title; Canterbury needed nine wickets. They removed opener Brad Wilson, bowled by Andrew Ellis before lunch, but the pitch carried ND home.
Canterbury were unable to make headway through the afternoon and Marshall, in particular, turned on the turbo-charger in the final hour before tea.
He was severe on anything loose, banged three fours in one Corey Anderson over and was expert through the offside, particularly off the back foot. Evans' 250-ball innings was more sedate but he anchored it impressively and took his scoring chances to create a perfect sendoff.
"Considering I came here for a holiday three years ago, and was not going to play cricket, it's been great," Evans said.
"I've enjoyed every minute of it."
He is expected to take up a job in Wales. The gong he wore round his neck after the presentation gives him two first-class titles, after being part of Glamorgan's 1997 win in the English championship.
"We had to get off to a good start, and it was all about the first session," he said. "If we could get through that unscathed it wasn't going to be easy, but it would put us on the path to winning the championship."
Marshall crunched 14 fours in his 113-ball innings. He finished the championship with 766 runs - second only to Canterbury's Michael Papps' 1005 - at a fine average of 54.
Canterbury captain Chris Harris rotated his bowlers, using eight, but the pitch, and diligent work by two determined batsmen defeated his best efforts. It is ND's first championship since 2000.
