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Taranaki batsman Tim Weston compiled a defiant 152 but Auckland beat Central Districts by 94 runs in the State Championship at Eden Park yesterday.
It was the 24-year-old Weston's maiden first-class century, eclipsing the 85 not out he scored last season and it was achieved under the most trying circumstances. When he came to the crease, CD were 10 for four wickets chasing 375 in 101 overs.
He shared a partnership of 168 with wicketkeeper Bevan Griggs and when Griggs was lbw to off-spinner Gareth Hayne, he continued confidently until he was ninth out skying a catch off Chris Martin, bowling with the second new ball.
He had some luck at 45 when he snicked Martin through the slips at catchable height but after that his innings was chanceless with 19 fours and two sixes, one of which landed in Sandringham Rd.
Towards the end Weston was batting stiff-legged with a runner after succumbing to severe cramp in the hot sunshine.
Andre Adams spearheaded the early breakthrough when CD were reeling at 10 for four but the brunt of the bowling was done by Hayne, who bowled 26 overs and took three for 80.
After a delayed start following overnight rain and the initial assault from the pace attack, the pitch gradually began to take spin and Hayne troubled everyone but Weston.
Wellington V Canterbury
Wellington chased down an improbable total to secure crucial first innings points against Canterbury.
Centuries to Stu Mills and Grant Elliott and 98 from Chris Nevin carried Wellington past Canterbury's formidable 613 for seven on a tarsealed motorway of a pitch at QEII Park in Christchurch.
They reached their target late on the last afternoon with two wickets and three overs to spare.
The result earned Wellington two points, enough to draw them level with Canterbury in second place on the championship standings with one round remaining before the final.
Their unlikely pursuit owed much to Mills, 24, who entered his 12th first-class match boasting a career best of just 64.
He went well past that mark yesterday, finally being dismissed for 171 after 502 minutes of dedication to the cause against a greenhorn Canterbury seam attack.
Hamish Bennett did his best for Canterbury, returning figures of four for 99 on a track offering him little encouragement.
Northern Districts V Otago
Grim resistance and poor light enabled Otago to escape with a draw against Northern Districts.
Otago were hanging on determinedly at 197 for nine in their second innings at Seddon Park in Hamilton when the umpires ordered the players from the field after 7pm because of poor light. Despite being denied outright victory, the two points pocketed for first innings success ensured Northern Districts remain in the box seat for a home final.
They enter their final round robin match next week against Wellington clear on 30 points, followed by Wellington and Central Districts, who share second place on 26 points.
A series of declarations had left Otago a generous target of 270 against the competition leaders but they received an immediate setback when seamer Tim Southee removed opener Jordan Sheed for a third-ball duck.
Greg Todd made 46 and Aaron Redmond 34 as Otago improved to 87 for three before a middle order collapse left them at 114 for six and fighting for a draw.
Bradley Scott came to the rescue to score 29 not out off 105 balls while Nic Turner took up 46 deliveries for his 10.
The ND attack hunted well as a pack, Graeme Aldridge leading the way with three for 37.
- Additional reporting NZPA
