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The State Northern Knights ended their summer on a high with an eight-wicket State Championship cricket defeat of the State Wellington Firebirds in Whangarei.
Spinners Bruce Martin and Kane Williamson and recalled New Zealand seamer Tim Southee took three wickets each for Northern at Cobham Oval as Wellington's second innings folded for 289.
Needing 65 runs off 18 overs to secure the outright result, Northern used just 10, reaching 65 for two.
It wasn't enough to overhaul Wellington, last year's beaten finalists who finish third overall, one place ahead of Northern.
None of the Wellington batsmen looked particularly comfortable today after they resumed at a promisng 53 without loss.
Openers Matthew Bell and Josh Brodie fell for 29 and 56 respectively and their was little stickability beyond them aside Grant Elliott's 84, his last innings before he links with English county Surrey.
Left-arm spinner Bruce Martin took three for 76 off 35 overs, finishing the match with a nine-wicket match haul and nearly doubling his tally for the season.
First innings century-maker Michael Parlane led the way in Northern's small run chase this afternoon, scoring an unbeaten 31 off 22 balls.
NZPA
Day three: Wellington 53-0, trail Northern by 172
The State Northern Knights have reached their highest State Championship score of 546 in their first innings against the State Wellington Firebirds.
Michael Parlane added a further 27 runs this morning to bring up his century with Kane Williamson also reaching triple figures later in the day.
Williamson, who scored 111 and 95 against Auckland in his last match, struck 11 fours and a six in his innings of 100. He has also moved in the top five of the State Championship MVP ranking for the first time this year.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Peter McGlashan was also among the runs hitting a hasty 56.
Michael Burns was the best of the Wellington bowlers taking four for 61 with Dewayne Bowden and Luke Woodcock picking up two apiece.
Wellington openers Josh Brodie (28*) and Matthew Bell (23*) survived 25 overs and will resume tomorrow on 53 without loss.
Day two: Northern 217-2, trail Wellington by 104 runs at stumps on day two
The State Wellington Firebirds were dismissed for 321 in the first session on day two against the State Northern Knights.
Firebirds wicketkeeper-batsman Chris Nevin made a useful 72 with the tail wagging to put on 63 for the last three wickets.
Bruce Martin took two more wickets this morning to finish with six for 73 – his 13th five wicket bag.
The Northern batsmen have made a steady start to their run chase with Brad Wilson falling six runs short of his century and Michael Parlane unbeaten on 76.
Wellington are still 104 runs short of Northern's first innings total but have eight wickets in had at the end of the day.
Day one: Wellington 269-7 at stump on day on against Northern
The State Wellington Firebirds have taken their score through to 269 for seven after winning the toss and choosing to bat in the State Championship match against the State Northern Knights at Cobham Oval in Whangarei.
Matthew Bell and Neal Parlane shared a 135 run partnership for the second wicket with Bell making his 24th first-class century. Parlane went on to make 62.
The loss of Bell for 100 sparked a collapse that saw them loss four wickets for 39 runs including Grant Elliott and Harry Boam without scoring.
Chris Nevin is holding the innings together with an unbeaten on 47 with only the tail to come.
Northern spinner Bruce Martin has been economical and accurate taking four for 61 off 30 overs.
