Central Districts win despite Papps' 150

Northern Districts held their nerve during a tense chase and secured a two-wicket victory with four balls to spare against Auckland at Colin Maiden Park. Chasing 265, Northern Districts got off to a solid start but the inability of their top order to play long innings resulted in a collapse from 136 for 1 to 196 for 6. Joseph Yovich scored a brisk 38, sharing small but valuable partnerships with the lower order, and eventually took his side to victory in the final obver. Earlier, Reece Young and Gareth Hopkins had scored half-centuries to lead Auckland's innings but contributions from the others were meagre and they managed 264 for 8.

Central Districts hung on for a 15-run victory at Rangiora despite Michael Papps scoring a terrific 150, which kept Canterbury in the hunt until the very end. Papps' innings, which came of 149 balls, included 13 fours and three sixes but it was a lone hand. He got no support from the top order - Canterbury were 88 for 5 chasing 302 - and it wasn't until Papps' 97-run partnership with Chris Harris that the chase got back on track. He then added another 77 runs with Kruger van Wyk. Just when Canterbury were within striking distance, though, Papps was bowled by Brendon Diamanti off the last ball of the 49th over. He was the ninth wicket to fall and the last man fell two balls later, with Canterbury on 286. A trio of half-centuries had earlier led Central Districts to 301 for 9. Peter Ingram made 53, George Worker 84, and Matthew Sinclair scored 67. Carl Frauenstein took 4 for 48 for Canterbury.

An unbeaten half-century from Neil Broom led Otago to a six-wicket victory against Wellington in a shortened contest in Queenstown. Wellington, after getting sent in, made 153 for 7 in 22 overs. Stewart Rhodes top-scored with 33 and there were useful contributions from Chris Nevin, BJ Cook and Matthew Bell. Otago's start was shaky, with the openers falling cheaply, but Broom was steady during his 61 off 58 balls. He had an aggressive partner in Craig Cumming, who made 34 off 24, and Otago eventually won with six balls to spare.