KEY POINTS:
Auckland's match against Northern Districts was delicately poised after 12 wickets fell on a first day cut short by bad light.
After losing the toss and being inserted in the gloomy conditions, Northern's batsmen made hard work of it against an Auckland attack that would hardly inspire fear
in an average club player.
Andre Adams' nagging, occasionally brisk medium pace was again the chief destroyer, with the fringe Black Cap claiming 4-30 from 21 overs as Northern slumped to be all out for 169 shortly after tea in the State Championship match.
In reply, Auckland were 18-2 at stumps, with Northern's young opening bowling prospect Tim Southee having removed both openers.
The senior bowler in a youthful Auckland attack, Adams showed the way with impressive control of line and length to keep the pressure on Northern's batsman.
Nuggetty young left-hander Daniel Flynn was the only Northern player to offer any serious resistance, compiling an untroubled 60 not out after coming to the wicket with his side reeling at 43-4.
Flynn struck five boundaries and batted for over three hours in a carefully crafted innings but, baring a 55-run stand with wicket keeper Peter McGlashan (18), he was largely bereft of any serious assistance.
Adams picked up the early scalps of B.J. Watling (6) and schoolboy debutant Kane Williamson (2) after play began 15 minutes late due to bad light.
Auckland's debutant right arm seamer Greg Morgan took his first first-class wicket, inducing an edge from Brad Wilson to slip, before being pulled from the attack after being warned by umpire Derek Walker for running on the pitch.
James Marshall (30) briefly looked like getting on top, striking consecutive fours off Adams but, when he nicked to second slip in the same over, Northern's prospects of a respectable first innings total went with him.
Northern's run rate seldom crept above two and when part time seamer Colin de Grandholme uprooted McGlashan's leg stump two balls before tea to end the only threatening stand of the innings, they went to the adjournment teetering at 150/7.
Adams completed his day's work by trapping Bruce Martin lbw before de Grandholme, who ended with figures of 2-4, induced an edge from Graham Aldridge.
Southee fell to Lance Shaw to end the innings after heaving across the line but he was more impressive with the ball, nicking out Richard Jones (4) before trapping Tim McIntosh (12) in front.
WELLINGTON V CD Wellington batsman Neal Parlane finally notched three figures as he wrestled control for the championship leaders in Napier yesterday.
Having compiled three half-centuries through the first three rounds, Parlane went on with it yesterday to finish unbeaten on 131 as Wellington reached 293 for six at McLean Park.
Parlane's sixth first class ton, including eight fours and four sixes off 252 balls, rescued his side after they had wobbled to 189 for six.
He and spin bowler Mark Houghton were still together at stumps, having put on 103, with Houghton having just enough time to bring up a patient debut first class half century.
CANTERBURY V OTAGO
Canterbury applied the short and tall of batting styles to record-breaking effect against Otago in Christchurch.
Peter Fulton and Johann Myburgh both compiled their seventh first class centuries as the hosts reached 322 for five at QEII Park.
Fulton struck a composed 126 while the diminutive South African Myburgh was more aggressive in his 105 off 141 balls. Both players struck 13 fours.
They put on 187 for the fourth wicket, a Canterbury record for that partnership in all games against Otago.
They salvaged a poor start at 47 for three when Black Caps opener Michael Papps departed.
Otago pace bowler Warren McSkimming removed both openers to record the best figures of two for 50 but his side will be staring at a sizeable first innings target tomorrow.
- Additional reporting NZPA
