By TERRY MADDAFORD
In picking up points in nine of their 10 matches, Auckland fully deserved their repeat triumph.
Under new coach Mark O'Donnell, but with Brooke Walker back as captain, Auckland won outright four times, including a crucial two-wicket win over Wellington in their second match of the season.
That win, after
a weather-disrupted opener against Northern Districts in Gisborne, gave Auckland eight of a possible 12 points and the early advantage.
Two outrights over long-time rivals, but a now disappointing Canterbury further emphasised Auckland's domination.
It was only in the last round, against ND, that Auckland failed to pick up points. In that match they forfeited any chance of a first-innings lead when Walker declared behind in the hope of pushing on for an outright which, in the end, they did not need to take the title by three points from Wellington.
Otago enjoyed a solid season under coach Glenn Turner, surprising many by finishing third.
The season's averages tell the story: Auckland dominated the batting; Wellington the bowling. But Auckland's all-round effort underlined their strong performance.
Forgetting those players who had only a couple of first class innings, Auckland opener Tim McIntosh was the season's best. From 17 innings, the tall left-handed opening batsman scored 820 at an average of 58.57, a significant step up from the 524 (at 32.75) he managed from the same number of innings last season.
McIntosh, who had a highest score of 157 and one other century this season, also scored two hundreds last season.
He was joined in the top 10 (of those batsmen who had a minimum of 10 innings) by Auckland team-mates Matt Horne (671 at 47.92) and Rob Nicol (664 at 47.42).
ND's Matt Hart again reminded the selectors of his batting ability by coming second among the season's regulars with 546 at 54.60.
Tama Canning spearheaded Auckland's bowling effort. From an amazing workload of 410 overs in nine matches - the most by any bowler - Canning bagged a season-high 46 wickets at an average of 21.97 with a five for 62 best.
But he and his Auckland back-up had to bow to the Matthew Walker-led Wellington attack.
Walker, who went into the season with a career 44 wickets at 26.65, stunned many with his haul of 45 wickets at 18.00.
Auckland's Reece Young emerged as the top gloveman with 35 catches.
