Cricket: Auckland out of finals equation

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Any faint hope Auckland harboured of keeping their season alive ended at Eden Park yesterday but only after an absorbing last day of their match against Northern Districts.

In the end, on a day in which 527 runs were scored (for the loss of eight wickets), Northern took first innings points - falling just eight runs shy of the 277 they needed in their second innings for outright points.

In failing to take maximum points, despite the record-breaking stand of Matt Horne and Aaron Barnes, Auckland lost any chance of forcing their way into State Championship final contention.

It was always a long shot but in keeping Northern interested, Auckland ensured the match - one of the best of the season - would go the distance.

Auckland captain Brooke Walker played his part in bowling his leg spin for 25 of the 52 overs Northern faced.

Without ever handing out gift runs, he conceded 128 which ensured the visitors would retain a healthy interest in their chase for first outright points of the season.

They fell just short but will nevertheless take some confidence into their last game against Canterbury in Gisborne.

That match, like the Wellington Otago clash at the Basin Reserve, at least has something on it, unlike Auckland's pride-only date with Central Districts at New Plymouth's Pukekura Park.

Should Otago beat Wellington outright, Canterbury would need the same result in Gisborne to book a home final.

Barnes provided the early action yesterday as he almost overhauled Horne in the continuation of Auckland's overnight 123 for four.

As the runs mounted, the calculators whirred as Walker and Auckland coach Mark O'Donnell plotted a likely run chase.

Eventually they - helped in no small part by the 347 Horne and Barnes added in just 258 minutes - settled on giving Northern a 277-run target from a minimum of 51 (eventually 52) overs.

When James Marshall and Nick Horsley piled on 156 runs (in 100 minutes) for the first wicket - 503 runs scored for the loss of no wicket from the time Rob Nicol had been dismissed in the last session on Sunday - Auckland's hopes were, at best, forlorn.

But, as can so often happen, one wicket was followed by two then three, until Auckland's interest was rekindled.

Horsley (75 off 100 balls) and Marshall (77 from 105) batted sensibly, frustrating Auckland's desire for an early breakthrough.

Walker, eventually rewarded when he had Horsley caught in the deep, kept attacking but the runs/wickets equation was always against him.

Needing 29 from the last four overs and with wickets in hand - including Joseph Yovich who eventually was unbeaten on 49 (46 balls) - Northern were primed.

However a late flurry from Kerry Walmsley and then Andre Adams stymied the charge leaving Yovich and first innings hero Mark Orchard (dropped from three to 10 in the order) to see it through.

* Ian Butler managed only three deliveries in his first over after lunch before leaving the field with a slight ankle injury. He will miss Northern's game in Gisborne but will be fit for selection for the first test against South Africa next month.

* Otago completed consecutive wins yesterday when they humbled Canterbury by 108 runs at Molyneux Park in Alexandra.

Canterbury, the previous competition leaders, were dismissed for 152 as Warren McSkimming and Bradley Scott bowled Otago to a comprehensive victory.

Canterbury added just 74 runs for their last six wickets before the match ended when the defiant Stephen Cunis was caught behind.

- additional reporting: NZPA