Auckland squeezed out a 22-run win over Northern Districts on the final day of a State Championship four-day cricket match at Whangarei yesterday.
Northern, chasing 269 for a win, resumed their second innings on 113 for three only to be dismissed for 246.
Their run-chase took a body blow whenHamish Marshall was sent back to the pavilion without adding to his overnight score of 43 when he was caught by Tarun Nethula off pace bowler Lance Shaw.
Bradley Scott hung around for 27 runs but when Michael Parlane, who got 75 in the first innings, went for eight Northern were on the ropes.
The hard-hitting Joseph Yovich carried Northern's hopes from there but could not find support at the other end as the Auckland bowlers tightened the screws.
Leg spinner Nethula, who took four wickets in the first innings, trapped Scott leg before wicket to cut short a promising partnership with Yovich of 21 runs.
Fast bowler Colin de Grandhomme then stepped in to claim the wickets of Graham Aldridge for 14 and Jono Boult for five.
There was still another twist left when Te Ahu Davis joined Yovich at the crease.
Davis smashed five boundaries and a six off 26 balls for a rollicking 30 but paid the price for his high-octane approach when bowled by De Grandhomme, who notched a second innings three for 40 off 14 overs.
Yovich battled on but could not master an outswinger from Daryl Tuffey and edged to Scott Styris in the slips, ending his innings on 41.
The result gave Auckland two wins from five matches, putting them on 19 points.
Otago claimed first innings points after their match against Wellington at Dunedin ended in a draw.
With Wellington chasing 322 runs to win, stumps were pulled on the final day with them 283 for six, after resuming on 74 for two yesterday.
Otago remain fourth on the standings with six points while Auckland leapfrogged Wellington into second.
