Shield top three break clear

There was final day drama in the Plunket Shield yesterday as Northern Districts, Auckland and Wellington all eked out fourth-day victories. The Knights staged a late fightback to beat Central Districts by 65 runs, the Aces overhauled the target of 155 Otago had set with four wickets to spare, and the Firebirds chased down 280 to beat Canterbury by five wickets. No result was secure going into the final day but, after some ups-and-downs, the three winners broke clear on top of the Plunket Shield standings at the halfway mark of the competition. Northern Districts lead on 64 points, with Auckland in second place on 50 and Wellington on 45. On a University Oval pitch in Dunedin where bat well and truly dominated ball, the Volts began the day with a 61-run lead and six wickets in hand and, thanks to a half-century from wicketkeeper Derek de Boorder, managed to add another 93 runs to set the Aces a paltry target of 154 with two sessions in which to reach it. But in a match which had seen 30 wickets fall for 638 runs, nothing was guaranteed. That was immediately illustrated when Auckland lost both openers without a run on the board, as Jeet Raval was caught behind in the first over and Tim McIntosh followed him back to the pavilion, run out, an over later. Warren McSkimming picked up two quick wickets, and once Gareth Hopkins fell for 20 Auckland were teetering on 55-5. But a guiding knock from Anaru Kitchen (46no), supported by Colin Munro (39) and Bruce Martin (17no), saw the Aces across the line to maintain second spot. In Rangiora, Wellington chasing 277 for victory, resumed on 61-1 with Josh Brodie and Stephen Murdoch well set. Murdoch fell for 43 but Brodie was joined by Jesse Ryder, and the pair set about crafting a match-winning century stand. Opener Brodie brought up his third first class hundred before being dismissed for 116, while Ryder hit 82 from 63 balls to get his side to within 15 runs of their target. In Gisborne, Northern had controlled proceedings against Central for the majority of the match, before a 222-run partnership between Matt Sinclair and Kruger van Wyk left the Stags threatening to run away with the win. But a double-breakthrough just before tea was followed by New Zealand test seamer Trent Boult completing a five-wicket bag to bowl his side to victory.