KEY POINTS:
The numbers tell a simple story of today's finale to the domestic season: Northern Districts need 309 runs and Canterbury nine wickets to win the national championship.
But hosts ND will have an ace in their pocket when batsman Brad Wilson and Alun Evans walk onto Seddon Park this morning: so long as they avoid defeat, they will win the State Championship for the first time since 2000.
Canterbury, who qualified second top after the round robin, must win outright, but should take the view that it only takes nine deliveries to get their first first-class title since 1998.
ND will start the day at 65 for one chasing 374 for victory, former national under 19 batsman Wilson on 22 and Welsh professional Evans on 24.
Canterbury, who had established a 124-run lead on the first innings, began yesterday at 19 for two, having lost opener Todd Astle for his second duck of the match, and first innings century maker Shanan Stewart, also without scoring.
But there's no stopping former test opener Michael Papps this season, and he finished off with 96, off 174 balls.
That takes Papps to a record 1005 runs for Canterbury in the championship at a remarkable average of 91.3.
He got help from captain Chris Harris, who hit an unbeaten 54 in 64 balls, including a couple of sixes before the declaration came at 249 for six.
ND lost BJ Watling, leg before to Brandon Hiini for four before Wilson and Evans dug in for the rest of the day.
