KEY POINTS:
Northern Districts worked their way into a strong position on the third day of their State Championship match against Central Districts at Seddon Park yesterday despite two rain stoppages.
When stumps were pulled about an hour before the scheduled end of the day, Northern were 168 for three - holding a 240-run lead - with James Marshall unbeaten on 52 and Mark Orchard on 62 in their second innings.
Northern took first innings points after Central's first innings crashed yesterday. They added just 14 runs to their overnight 255 for six to be all out for 269 in reply to Northern's first innings of 341.
Tim Lythe, who was on three overnight, added just three runs before being run out and Robbie Schaw added just two to his overnight 14.
Schaw was caught by Marshall off Graeme Aldridge, who also sent off Brendon Diamanti (1) for his five-wicket haul in the innings for 27 runs off 21.2 overs. It included 10 maidens.
The major contributor to Central's score early on were eight leg byes.
Marshall, who hit a 99 in the first innings, scored 52 off 109 balls which included four fours. Orchard hit eight fours in his 62 off 136 balls.
The pair brought up their 100-run partnership for the fourth wicket in 127 minutes off 190 balls.
Brad Wilson (3), BJ Wattling (14) and Nick Horsley (28) were the Northern batsmen out in their second innings, all snared by Ewen Thompson's seamers. Northern will chase an outright win today.
- NZPA
