Northern Districts have beaten Canterbury by 43 runs despite a brilliant hundred by Michael Pollard.

Northern Districts posted 274 after Captain Dean Brownlie won the toss and decided to bat.  After the early wicket of Brownlie, opener BJ Watling (32) and Nick Kelly (44) combined for a second wicket partnership of 73 before both batsman were dismissed of consecutive balls by leg spinner Todd Astle.   Wicket Keeper Tim Seifert (2) was dismissed shortly after again from the bowling of Astle.  Top scorer Anton Devcich (59) and Daryl Mitchell (44) combined for a fantastic fifth wicket partnership of 96 which gave Northern Districts a good platform heading into the last 10 overs.  After the dismissal of Devcich in the 43rd over, Brett Hampton continued the momentum as he finished off the innings with a blazing 32 from just 12 deliveries which included four 6's.  Matt Henry was the pick of the bowlers for Canterbury with 3 for 35 off 10 overs.  Todd Astle picked up three wickets. 

In reply Canterbury were in early trouble.  Scott Kuggeleijn picked up his 100th List A wicket when he dismissed opener Chad Bowes without scoring.  Northern Districts continued to make inroads into the Canterbury top order and at one stage they were 5 for 79 in the 18th over.  Opener Michael Pollard and wicketkeeper Cameron Fletcher (53) combined for a 6th wicket partnership of 132 which kept Canterbury in the match.  Pollard would go on to register his second list A century scoring 119 off 132 balls before being dismissed by in-form leg spinner Ish Sodhi.  Canterbury lost their last four wickets for just 20 runs after the dismissal of Fletcher.  They were eventually dismissed for 231 in 46.3 overs.  Brent Arnel was the key destroyer taking three of the last four wickets to fall.  He finished with the outstanding figures of 4 for 40.  Ish Sodhi and Scott Kuggeleijn also bowled well and picked up two wickets a piece. 

Northern Districts are now fourth on the Ford Trophy table with eight points after three rounds.  They will play the Wellington Firebirds in the fourth round of the competition on the 27th of January at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.