KEY POINTS:
Wellington bowler Iain O'Brien produced the best New Zealand first-class figures in more than a decade when his team completed a remarkable 146-run win over Auckland yesterday.
O'Brien was to the forefront as his team fought back from a dismal first day of their State Championship clash, needing
less than five overs to clean up the visitors' lower order.
Auckland resumed at the Basin Reserve on 141 for five, still needing another 179 to win, but those hopes were quickly dashed and they were dismissed for 173.
O'Brien, who has played two tests, was again the destroyer, taking five for 62 in the second innings to follow his eight for 55 in Auckland's first dig of 174.
His match figures of 13 for 117 are the best at this level since Alex Tait of Northern Districts took 16 for 130, also against Auckland, at Hamilton in February 1997.
O'Brien received good second-innings support from new ball partner Michael Burns, who finished with four for 44.
Wellington's crucial second innings of 390 - a world apart from their first knock of 103 - was spearheaded by Neal Parlane, who reached 135 on Wednesday.
Auckland's only fighter in the seconds innings was wicketkeeper Reece Young, who managed 70 before being bowled by O'Brien.
The loss means Auckland have no chance of reaching the State Championship final, having won this season's State Shield one-day title and the Twenty20 crown.
CANTERBURY V OTAGO
Otago lost their way just when victory loomed, collapsing to a 119-run loss to Canterbury in Christchurch.
Three declarations set up the final day nicely at QEII Village Green, with the visitors resuming on 35 without loss in pursuit of 438 to win.
They had 100 overs to compile another 403 on a wicket still playing well and began in promising style - reaching 93 before Jordan Sheed fell for 37.
Fellow opener Craig Cumming carried on the good work, adding 121 for the second wicket as Otago reached 214 for one with 43 overs remaining before disaster struck.
The pair fell within five balls of each other - Redmond for 58 and Cumming for 108 - sparking the loss of six wickets for 43.
It became a battle of survival for the visitors, who eventually lost their last wicket with the score at 318 and just 13 balls left to see out.
There was understandable elation from Canterbury, who took 28 overs to remove the last three batsmen - the death knell coming when Willie Lonsdale had Nic Turner trapped lbw for 15.
Neil Brook proved a limpet, being the ninth man to fall for 39 in a stay of more than two hours.
Canterbury seamer Andrew Ellis provided the impetus by removing Redmond and finished with the best figures of three for 51 off 14 overs.
Iain Robertson claimed two scalps to round out a fine match in which he scored his maiden first-class century.
ND V CD
Northern Districts retained their place at the top of the table after winning late on the final day against Central Districts.
Northern were left needing 107 to win in Gisborne after eventually dismissing Central for 318.
Central's batsmen were unable to hold on long enough to force a draw, their doughty second innings ending just after tea.
Northern openers Nick Horsley (51) and B.J. Watling (31) got their team close to the mark, leaving James Marshall to hit the winning runs late in the day with eight wickets remaining.
Central's Greg Hay posted 106 and Bevan Griggs 62, but eventually the bowling of Northern's Graeme Aldridge proved decisive. He removed Black Caps batsmen Jamie How and Mathew Sinclair and ripped through the tail to finish with five for 85.
Wicketkeeper Watling also claimed five scalps - all catches. Tim Southee took three for 88.
- NZPA
