Unknown spoils party for Auckland

By LINDSAY KNIGHT

But for a fighting maiden first-class century from relatively unknown Northern Districts batsman Grant Robinson at Eden Park yesterday, Auckland might have been popping the champagne corks by now for winning the provincial cricket competition for a second consecutive season.

Auckland were on top for much of the first day in the State Championship final-round clash on the Outer Oval, but found themselves thwarted by the 23-year old left-hander.

As a consequence of Robinson's innings, any celebration plans were left very much on hold.

Indeed, the match is still emphatically in the balance thanks to Robinson.

In just his fifth first-class match and with a previous top-score of only 45 and a batting average in the high teens, he finished with 123 not out after producing some of the pluck that has typified his career so far, taking Northern to 292 for nine at stumps.

Two seasons ago Robinson's hopes of playing cricket at any level nearly came to an abrupt end.

He was struck in the head by a delivery while playing for a national districts XI against Bangladesh in Wanganui.

The injury required an emergency dash to hospital and titanium plates that are still in his skull.

Doctors initially feared that his eyesight would be affected by dislodged bone in an eye socket.

But within three weeks he had returned to the Hamilton representative side.

He earned a place in the Northern Districts top XI for just three matches last season.

Modest results meant Robinson missed a place for much of this season but some heavy scoring, including centuries for the ND second XI, saw him recalled to the top side last week in place of the out-of-form Michael Parlane.

Yesterday, Robinson, who attended Gisborne Boys High School before moving to Hamilton for university studies, was at the crease for 306 minutes to produce his best innings.

He faced 245 balls and hit 16 fours to save Northern from what could have been a disaster against the table-topping Aucklanders.

Robinson said afterwards that it was great to get another chance, and a real thrill to have had the luck to make the most of the chance.

Batting first after captain Robbie Hart won the toss, Northern's top order failed to do justice to that decision in what seemed favourable conditions.

Against a steady medium-pace attack led by Tama Canning, ND lost their first four wickets for just 54 runs.

Canning quickly accounted for Nick Horsley, Hamish Marshall and Matthew Hart.

James Marshall was run out just when he seemed on the verge of a promising innings.

That brought Robinson to the crease and, with the help of a patient Mark Orchard, he restored some respectability and eventually substance to the Northern total.

They added 104 for the fifth wicket, with Orchard making 30 to complement the more aggressive approach from Robinson, who was severe on some wayward Auckland bowling, especially from Brooke Walker and Rob Nicol.

Nicol ended Orchard's solid hand when he had him leg before, but at other times he had his problems with a number of wides and cautions from umpire David Quested for running on the pitch.

Despite his many handsome shots, Robinson enjoyed a measure of luck.

He scored five from an overthrow and made a number of mis-hits, including one spilled by Tim McIntosh in the slips off Nicol.

While Robinson was by far the dominant contributor, useful support came from Robbie Hart, Joseph Yovich, Bruce Martin and especially No 11 Ian Butler late in the day.

State of play

* If Auckland beat Northern outright they are assured of the State Championship

* If Auckland fail to take maximum points and Wellington beat Otago outright, Wellington would take the title

* All three teams batting first in the final round of the competition yesterday went through to stumps without being dismissed