Fletcher back in the runs

Andrew Fletcher continued his rich vein of form to help Wellington take the outright lead in the Ford Trophy standings.

The Firebirds rolled to a 58-run victory over Central Districts in Lincoln – their fifth win in seven matches – thanks in large part to the red-hot opener, who scored his third century of the one-day campaign.

After beginning round seven at the top of the leaderboard with Otago, Wellington now have a one-point advantage two weeks out from the finals.

Fletcher anchored the innings with 100 at the top of the order as Wellington made 266-8. Wellington 266-8 (Andrew Fletcher 100, Devon Conway 57; Ben Wheeler 3-47) beat Central Districts 208 (Wheeler 56, Ryan McCone 52; Malcolm Nofal 3-36, Hamish Bennett 3-38, Jimmy Neesham 2-43) 5.5 Canterbury v Northern Districts at Hagley Oval, Christchurch

Canterbury remain at the bottom of the table after Northern Districts won a run-fest at Hagley Oval.

Canterbury looked to be in a strong position after setting 308 to win but ND reached the target with four wickets and 10 balls to spare.

Northern Districts had solid contributions throughout the chase, starting with captain Dean Brownlie’s 73.

Anton Devcich (40) and Nick Kelly (36) also kept the runs ticking over before Joe Carter

(65 not out) and Peter Bocock (57 not out) guided them home with an unbeaten 107-run partnership.

Jack Boyle and Stephen Murdoch put on

200 for the second wicket as Canterbury made

307-4 after choosing to bat first.

But it was not enough to prevent Canterbury falling to their fifth loss of the season, while ND leapfrogged Auckland and CD into third place. Canterbury 307-4 (Jack Boyle 126, Stephen Murdoch 112, Chad Bowes 34; Brett Randell 2-63) lost to Northern Districts 311-6 (Dean Brownlie 73, Joe Carter 65*, Peter Bocock 57*, Anton Devcich 40, Nick Kelly 36; Blake Coburn 2-55, Andrew Ellis 2-65). 7.5 Auckland v Otago at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln

Otago are right on Wellington’s heels after holding their nerve in a tight run chase to beat Auckland by three wickets.

Michael Rippon produced an all-round display, leading the bowlers with 3-47 to restrict Auckland to 250-9 before steering his side home with 38 not out as the Volts reached the target in the 49th over.

Auckland 250-9 (Craig Cachopa 84, Danru Ferns 35*; Michael Rippon 3-47, Warren Barnes 2-37) lost to Otago 251-7 (Neil Broom 49, Nathan Smith 43, Rippon 38*; Ferns 2-40, Mitchell McClenaghan 2-48).