NORTHERN Districts had Auckland on the ropes at 85 for eight in their State Championship cricket match at Eden Park yesterday but wicketkeeper Reece Young proved to be a thorn in their side. Chasing the visitors' first innings of 169, wicketkeeper Young found an able accomplice in debutant Greg Morgan. Hewent on to post his second first-class century while Morgan made a revealing 83 not out as the pair put on a stand of 151 for the ninth wicket on the second day of the four-day game. It represented an Auckland record for that wicket against all opposition, surpassing the 122 posted by former international Bob Cunis and Hector Schuster against Wellington in 1964-65. Auckland made 286, safely tucking away the two first-innings points, after looking gone for all money in the face of quality seam bowling from Northland teenager Tim Southee. He collected career-best figures of six for 68 on his 19th birthday. Northern Districts made an unconvincing start to their second innings, losing three batsmen to lbw decisions and were to resume today at a tenuous 10 for three, trailing by 107 runs.
