Auckland completed a convincing victory over Northern Districts by 8 wickets in Round Four of the Plunket Shield.

Auckland won the toss and decided to bowl first in favourable bowling conditions.  Despite missing inform pace bowler Lockie Ferguson who was rested for the match, the Auckland bowling line up were able to make early in-roads into the Northern Districts batting line up.  Left arm pace bowler Ben Lister would remove Northern Districts Skipper Daniel Flynn (0) and wicket keeper BJ Watling (5) which left Northern Districts in some early trouble.   Kane Williamson and Mitchell Santner would put together a partnership of 65 to steady the innings.  Lister would return to dismiss Williamson (45) and Tim Seifert without scoring to have Northern Districts at 80/4, and were eventually dismissed for 148.  Mitchell Santner top scored with 55.  Ben Lister was the standout bowler taking 5 for 29 and was well supported by Matt McEwan and Danru Ferns. 

In reply, Auckland started off strongly with an opening partnership of 70 before Jeet Ravel (37) was bowled by Scott Kuggeleijn.  Northern District's would get themselves back into the match by taking the wickets of Martin Guptill (8), Colin Munro (4) and Glenn Phillips (30).  A fine partnership of 86 for the sixth wicket between Colin de Grandhomme (50) and Mark Chapman (39) would extend Auckland's lead before Chapman was dismissed.  Auckland would finish the innings with 315.  Allrounder Mark McEwan top scored with 55 and helped Auckland gain a sizable first innings advantage.  Scott Kuggeleijn was the pick of the bowlers with 5 for 36.   

Northern Districts started their second innings trailing Auckland by 167 runs. Again Mitchell Santner would play a key role batting at number four and he top scored with 53 while there were other good contributions from BJ Watling (25), Kane Williamson (38) Tim Seifert (41) and Scott Kuggeleijn who would remain unbeaten on 30.  Northern Districts would be finally dismissed for 238 runs giving Auckland a target of 72 for victory.   The stand out bowler for Auckland was Mark McEwan who had a fine all round match by taking career best figures of 6 for 48 to go along with his first innings fifty. 

Auckland would reach the target for the loss of just two wickets in 16.1 overs.  Martin Guptill starred with a blistering 52 not out off only 49 balls.  The match was completed with a day to spare. 

Northern Districts now head to Molyneux Park in Alexandra where they will play Otago in the fifth round of the Plunket Shield which starts on 24th of November.