Wellington 340 (Ryder 117, Papps 52, Wheeler 3-68) and 343 for 5 (Ryder 174, Woodcock 69*) beat Central Districts 383 (Cachopa 105, Sinclair 143, McKay 3-63) and 298 for 7 decl. (Bracewell 85, Noema-Barnett 60) by five wickets
Scorecard

A quickfire 174 by Jesse Ryder propelled Wellington to a five-wicket victory, chasing a challenging 343 against Central Districts in Napier. The match was even for most part of the four days. Wellington conceded a 43-run first-innings deficit, and the match hung in the balance after Central Districts' declaration at 298 for 7. But Ryder, who had scored a first-innings century as well, sealed the chase for Wellington.

Chasing 343, Central Districts had taken four wickets for 112 runs. But the following 167-run stand between Ryder and Luke Woodcock, who scored a half-century, shifted the game towards Wellington. After Ryder was dismissed, the 63 needed were knocked off by Woodcock and wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi with 13 overs remaining in the day.

Central Districts, after being put in to bat, looked to post a commanding total when No.3 Carl Cachopa and Mathew Sinclair both scored centuries, sharing a 224-run partnership for the third wicket. But the middle and lower order couldn't build from there as seamer Andy McKay took three wickets to peg them back.

It took a 113-ball 117 by Ryder to help Wellington get close to Central Districts' 383, as apart from openers Michael Papps and Stephen Murdoch, no one went on to post a productive score.

Central Districts, however, kept losing wickets regularly in their second innings. At 223 for 6, they ended their third day with a lead of 266. The No.8 Doug Bracewell top-scored for them with 85, and dominated the seventh-wicket stand of 120 before his team declared.

Ryder's ton again rescued Wellington again, and gave them the victory.