Canty sneak into finals

Defending Ford Trophy 50-over champions Canterbury have snuck into the top four finals after rain ruined the last round yesterday.

All three final round matches in Auckland (Auckland v Otago), Christchurch (Canterbury v Wellington) and Napier (Central Districts v Northern Districts) were abandoned without a ball being bowled.

That meant bad news for Wellington and Otago, who were eliminated from the finals race. They needed to win their round eight fixtures to have any chance of advancing.

Canterbury were the benefactors from the wet weather, securing fourth place and keeping their title defence alive. They will travel to Whangarei’s Cobham Oval to meet third placed Northern Districts in the minor semifinal on Saturday. The loser of that clash is eliminated with the victor advancing on to the elimination final.

Canterbury won just two of their eight round matches with one abandoned and one no result. Given the Ford Trophy’s generous finals system where four of six teams qualify, they managed to book their spot.

The red-and-blacks made a dreadful start to the competition, losing their first three matches before Christmas.

Runaway leaders Central Districts, who had already secured top spot, will face Auckland at New Plymouth’s Pukekura Park in the major semifinal also on Saturday.

The reward for the winner is direct entry and home advantage for the Ford Trophy final on February 24.