KEY POINTS:
Greg Hay was the picture of frustration for a second time after the weather thwarted Central Districts' chances of their first State Championship victory while chasing Northern Districts' total at Seddon Park yesterday.
Hay was left stranded on 95 off 209 balls, as rain ended their likely-looking chase 11.3 overs early in Hamilton, the draw leaving Central rooted to the bottom of the table.
Hay made 99 in the first innings, leaving the 23-year-old from Rotorua with an impressive double, but without what would have been his second first-class hundred.
CD, who trailed their hosts by 72 runs after the first innings, had been set 241 for the outright win.
ND had the early initiative as they reduced CD to 29 for three, Graeme Aldridge and Brent Arnel doing the damage. Both Bevan Griggs and Peter Ingram departed after shouldering arms and being bowled.
Hay put on 41 with Tim Weston, who made 28, before adding 122 at a good pace with Tim Lythe, who was 43 not out at the end.
However intermittent showers and a strong gale had the final say and play finished at 6.20pm.
Wet weather prevented any play in the morning and ND captain James Marshall, who also made 99 in his first innings, declared his team's second innings at its overnight total.
Wellington sit atop the State Championship ladder with 16 points. Auckland, despite being dumped by Otago in less than two days this week, are second on 10.
Otago and Canterbury have eight each, ND four and CD 2.
In the third round of games starting on Monday, Auckland are at home to ND at Eden Park, Canterbury host Otago at Christchurch's Village Green, and CD play Wellington at Napier's McLean Park.
* The women's state league starts tomorrow with a series of doubleheaders.
Auckland play Otago at Melville Park both tomorrow and Sunday.
Northern Districts play Canterbury at Mt Maunganui's Blake Park on the same terms, and CD face Wellington at Pukekura Park in New Plymouth on consecutive days.
