CD suffer first defeat, ND clinch thriller

Auckland captain Gareth Hopkins and Scott Styris combined well to end Central Districts' unbeaten run in the competition with a seven-wicket win at the Colin Maiden Park. Their unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 124 helped secure the victory with 10 balls to spare, after they had encountered early difficulties during thechase of 156 - slipping to 32 for 3 in the sixth over. However, Hopkins and Styris calmed nerves, with Hopkins blasting 71 of 44 balls, including four boundaries and an identical number of sixes. Styris though, was more measured, his 45 taking 36 deliveries, with three fours and two sixes. Put in by Auckland, opener Mathew Sinclair was solely responsible for carrying Central Districts to a respectable 155 for 9. His 54-ball 69, comprising 10 fours, failed to inspire the rest of his colleagues though. Colin de Grandhomme was the most successful bowler for Auckland, picking up 3 for 22, while Styris and Daryl Tuffey bagged two apiece.

Bradley Scott hit a last-ball six to enable Northern Districts edge out Canterbury by one wicket in a close encounter in Christchurch. Scott deposited seamer Ryan Burson over long on, when a four would have been good enough for the visitors. Together with tailender Brent Arnel they took 11 runs off the first five deliveries, including successive fours by Scott, before the left-arm seamer helped them claim an unexpected win. Chasing a modest 128, Northern Districts were in trouble at 75 for 8 in the 15th over before Tim Southee hit 32 off 16 balls, with five fours and one six. Along with Scott, who finished unbeaten on 20, they took 19 runs off the 18th over, before another 17 came off the last. Their late heroics overshadowed offspinner Rob Nicol's five-for. Asked to bat, Canterbury could manage 127 for 9, with Michael Papps and Johann Myburgh top scoring with 28 each, while allrounder Joseph Yovich took 3 for 26 and Southee 2 for 32.

Inclement weather meant no play was possible in the match between Otago and Wellington in Dunedin.