A slow-paced, low-bouncing Lancaster Park pitch put paid to hopes of a high-scoring, stroke-making exhibition, leaving batsmen to graft for their runs.

However, several of the Southern batsmen would be disappointed getting themselves out in the latter stages of their innings, albeit in a position of mounting pressure. It left Southern with its second loss and unable to qualify for the final.

Central has had two wins and Northern one but it also took a point after its first match against Bangladesh was washed out.

Southern coach Warren Lees felt the toss, won by Northern, was crucial in deciding the game's outcome on a wicket first used in the cricket max match nine days ago.

``The wicket tended to get lower and slower, making it more difficult to score,'' Lees said.

Lees believed his batsmen did get into a position from where they could overhaul Northern's 191 from 49.5 overs, but the pressure told.

``From having to score four an over but only getting three and then suddenly wanting five seemed to tell.''

Northern made a lively start thanks to opener Michael Parlane, who gave the innings early momentum with 22 coming from two David Sewell overs, when the ball was hard and new and the wicket at its freshest.

But the slower medium pace and spin bowlers applied the brakes with Aaron Gale, Craig Cumming, Paul Wiseman, and Mark Richardson all playing their parts.

They dragged a run rate which had been around six, back to just above three and boundaries were almost non-existent after Parlane struck eight boundaries in his 74-ball innings of 51.

Chris Pringle struck two straight sixes during a Shane Bond over to give the innings some late impetus and help lift it to a respectable 191.

Southern lost two early wickets but the Canterbury pair, Darrin Murray and Llorne Howell, made steady progress adding 49 together before Matthew Hart drew a mistake from Murray. Howell appeared Southern's best hope to steer the side to success, skilfully mixing caution with aggression.

However he perished, along with Craig Cumming and Robert Lawson, the other Southern batsmen to get starts, as the run rate mounted and the lower order succumbed to Chris Pringle.

Southern, which played without Warren Wisneski who was laid low by flu, will now seek to qualify for the four-day final starting its match against Northern at Hagley Oval today. Both teams were first-round winners.