Cricket: Leaders ND to meet CD in top-two Trophy match

By Terry Maddaford

After outright victories in Hamilton and Taupo gave Northern Districts a handy lead in the Shell Trophy race, they have to travel for Saturday's top-of-the-table third-round clash with Craig Spearman's Central Districts.

Well led by Robbie Hart, Northern, the only side with maximum points after good wins over Wellington and Otago, lead CD, who they meet at Wanganui's Victoria Park, by four points. Otago, who play Wellington in Oamaru, are two points further back.

The other three teams, Auckland, who play Canterbury in Rangiora, Canterbury and Wellington have just two points after the first two rounds.

The third round will start on Saturday and is scheduled to end on Tuesday.

Wellington were on course for outright points - but in the end had to battle for survival - at the Basin Reserve yesterday after all but 20 minutes of Saturday's third day was lost to rain.

Wellington declared at their overnight score of 236 for four, Canterbury raced to 82 for one, with Brad Doody left 47 not out, before setting Wellington 289 from 80 overs to win.

At 260 for four, the home side were cruising. Test opener Matthew Bell hit a timely 68 and captain Jason Wells provided the backbone before he fell caught and bowled by wily veteran Mark Priest for 87.

The innings crumbled and Wellington played out the last over and a bit without scoring a run to finish at 277 for nine. Canterbury took the two first-innings points, their first of the season.

Priest, after an indifferent start, bowled throughout the last session to finish with four for 87 from 21 overs while Chris Martin bagged three for 63.