Cricket: Northern Districts win Shell Trophy

HERALD ONLINE STAFF

Northern Districts have won the Shell Trophy for the first time in seven years.

It took Northern just over two hours play on the fifth day of the Shell Trophy final in Taupo to bowl Auckland out for 184, winning the match by 267 runs.

Needing 452 runs in the day to win the trophy outright, Auckland set about the task at a pace more suited to one-day cricket.

In the 30.5 overs bowled today they scored at a run-rate approaching six an over.

Stephen Lynch finished not out on 81 from 59 balls, but only John Aiken (23) and Kyle Mills (22) provided any real support.

Bruce Martin picked up 5 wickets for in the innings for Northern, giving him eight wickets in the match.

Joseph Yovich, who top-scored with 99 in ND's second innings yesterday, finished with the figures of 3 for 47.

It was the second domestic final Auckland has been in this season. They were beaten by Canterbury 2-0 in the Shell Cup final series in February.