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James Marshall - Source: Photosport -
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Another solid effort epitomised Northern Districts' Plunket Shield cricket on Saturday.
The competition leaders ended the opening day of their ninth round fixture against Otago in Whangarei on a healthy 325 for six.
Three half-centuries dotted their scoreboard at Cobham Oval, the best of them by Brad Wilson, who resumes on Sunday on 87 and within sight of just his third first-class century.
The 24-year-old hit 10 boundaries in 203 minutes to build on the earlier good work of his openers Daniel Flynn and Michael Parlane, who laid a settled platform in a partnership of 113.
Left-hander Flynn made 65 and Parlane 60, while Wilson was helped out in the final session by his skipper James
Marshall, who made 41, and wicketkeeper Peter McGlashan with 21 not out.
Spinners Nathan McCullum and Nick Beard bowled more than half of their team's overs, McCullum sending down 29 overs for a return of two for 77 and Beard taking three for 66 off 26.
Northern v Otago day one scoreboard click here
Central fight back against Auckland
Central Districts made an abject start but their final stand had nearly levelled the ledger after the first day of their Plunket Shield cricket match against Auckland on Saturday.
Reeling at three for seven after losing Bevan Patton and Tim Weston without a run on the board, Central were dismissed minutes before the scheduled end of play for 269 at Auckland's Colin Maiden Park.
For that they could largely thank a stolid 56 from opener George Worker and a last-wicket partnership of 67 between captain Bevan Griggs and No 11 Adam Milne.
Griggs, who earlier won the toss, top-scored with an unbeaten 65 while Milne contributed a lively 36 off 50 balls against a frustrated Auckland attack.
Two little-used Auckland spinners both produced career-best figures.
Indian-born Bhupinder Singh, in just his third first class match, took four for 93 and removed four of the five top-scorers.
Part-time legspinner Jeet Raval, 21, claimed two late scalps for 10 runs.
Second-placed Central are the only team who can catch Plunket Shield leaders Northern Districts but need an outright win in this match to have any chance of staying in the hunt with a round to play.
Auckland v Central day one scoreboard click here
Canterbury in control
Wellington did much to advance their Plunket Shield cricket match against Canterbury on Saturday.
Unfortunately for them, though, it was another insipid batting performance by Wellington which left Canterbury with a firm grip on the game after just the first day of the four-day fixture in Rangiora.
The injury-ravaged Wellington side folded for 176 on a surface which had previously proven a graveyard for bowlers this summer, their blushes saved only by Luke Woodcock, who made a resolute 76.
The inadequacy of that total was borne out when Canterbury reached 103 for one in response by stumps as they seek maximum points in the ninth and penultimate round of the competition.
Wellington's top order was swept aside as the visitors slumped to 66 for six before Woodcock found a willing accomplice in Andrew Lamb, who chipped in with 28 batting at No 9.
But it was largely only Woodcock who stood firm, spending close to three hours at the crease before becoming one of four scalps for medium-fast bowler Brandon Hiini.
Hiini returned the most impressive figures of four for 34 to help make up for the absence of fast bowler Hamish
Bennett, who collected two early wickets before injury forced him out of the attack.
Bennett's new ball partner Ryan McCone also chipped in with two wickets as the Canterbury attack gave Wellington little respite.
Canterbury responded in positive fashion as Michael Papps and Rob Nicol put on 63 inside 15 overs before Nicol departed for 17.
But former international Papps could not be budged, ending the day unbeaten on 60 alongside his captain Peter Fulton on 15.
Wellington have lost their last five matches, falling well off the competition pace after a series of injuries decimated their ranks, while Canterbury are in third place but cannot catch competition leaders Northern Districts.
Canterbury v Wellington day one scoreboard click here
