Canterbury are in danger of becoming State Championship cricket passengers.
The reigning champions face the prospect of entering the Christmas break without even one competition point to show for their efforts through four rounds.
Another unconvincing performance with the bat today leaves them staring at defeat on the
last day of their four-day fixture against Northern Districts in Hamilton tomorrow.
Canterbury were again found wanting when responding to the home side's first innings of 430, being dismissed for an inadequate 265 at Seddon Park.
Northern Districts extended their overall lead to 210 runs by the close in reaching 45 for two in their second innings after BJ Watling and Cameron Merchant both fell to offspinner Johann Myburgh.
Having already suffered heavy defeats at the hands of Auckland and Wellington, followed by a draw against Otago, Canterbury entered this match desperate to turn around their fortunes.
Such hopes dissolved against Northern Districts spinners Bruce Martin and Kane Williamson, who picked up five wickets between them as Canterbury's resistance revolved solely around a fighting stand from test reject Peter Fulton and Myburgh.
These two resumed this morning with Canterbury on 62 for two, and they eventually put on 118 for the third wicket before Myburgh departed for 61.
Fulton stuck around longer with limited assistance from the other end before perishing for 84, including 11 fours and one six, after 335 minutes at the crease.
Aside from these two Canterbury failed to flatter, with Martin and Williamson the chief beneficiaries.
Left-armer Martin showed tight control to pick up two for 30 off 25.5 overs while teenager Williamson took three for 67 off 27.
- NZPA
