Wellington and Central Districts post wins

Wellington defeated Northern Districts by 90 runs in their State Championship match at Hamilton, despite a fighting century by Joseph Yovich. Chasing a challenging 354, Northerns were in all sorts of trouble at 33 for 5 after Scott Rasmussen cut through the top order with an incisive spell of fast bowling. Yovich, coming in at No.7, started the fightback and was supported by Peter McGlashan, the wicketkeeper, who hung around for a patient 29 off 89 balls. Yovich was finally dismissed for 111 and helped take the score to 183 before he was caught by Kyle Mills off Jesse Ryder. His innings came off 212 balls with 21 fours and his stay at the crease caused a few anxious moments for the fielding side, given their commanding position earlier in the day. Graeme Aldridge offered some resistance with an unbeaten 40 but by then, the loss of wickets prevented them from pulling off an unlikely victory. Rasmussen finished with four wickets while Elliot bagged figures of 3 for 52. With this win, Wellington retain their position at the top of the points table.

Min Patel, the former England left-arm spinner, took his second five-wicket haul in as many matches, guiding Central Districts to a 140-run win against Auckland in their State Championship match at Palmerston North. Patel's 6 for 121 ended Auckland's spirited chase as they were bowled out for 315, in pursuit of 456. Tim Lythe and Matthew Horne, the overnight batsmen, both made half-centuries before Patel accounted for both and cut through the middle order, dismissing Rob Nichol (43), Lou Vincent (13) and Reece Young (8). Tama Canning hung around for nearly two hours for his 43 before getting bowled by Michael Mason. Andre Adams (24) played an entertaining cameo towards the end to take the score past 300.