Bond and Stead power Canterbury

Northern Districts 149 for 2 (Watling 65*, Marshall 62) trail Canterbury 461 (Stead 190, Bond 100) 312 runs
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Shane Bond showed his batting prowess, getting his maiden first-class century to help Canterbury to an imposing 461 against Northern Districts in Christchurch. Bond made exactly 100, and put together 210 with Gary Stead, who was finally dismissed just ten short of a double-hundred. Bond then struck with the ball too, dismissing Brad Wilson, the ND opener, for 2. Bradley Watling and James Marshall, however, put the innings back on track after the fall of two early wickets. Both made half-centuries as ND ended the day on 149 for 2.

Otago 9 for 0 trail Wellington 168 (Ryder 81, Sewell 4-42) by 159 runs
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Wellington's chances of making it to the finals of the State Championship received a blow when they were bowled out for 168 against Otago at Queenstown. Wellington are currently second in the points table, behind Auckland, but they started this match poorly, losing Matthew Bell, their captain, to the very first ball of the game after he had chosen to bat. Jesse Ryder, coming in to bat at No. 5, made a valiant 81, but none of the other batsmen made a significant contribution. Otago were 20 without loss in reply at close of play on the first day.

Auckland 29 for 0 trail Central Districts 214 by 185 runs
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Only nine overs of play was possible at Napier, during which time Auckland's openers added 17 more runs to their overnight 12 without loss.