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Otago zoomed into Shell Trophy cricket calculations by beating Canterbury, while poor weather seriously disrupted other fourth-round fixtures.

Otago took the maximum six points from its 18-run win at QEII Village Green. With 14 points, it trails only Central Districts (15) after displacing Northern Districts (13) from second position.

Trailing them are Auckland and Wellington, with nine points apiece, and trophy holder Canterbury (four), which has lost the chance of defending its title.

In the last preliminary round, starting Friday, Canterbury meets Northern at Hamilton, Wellington hosts Auckland, and Otago plays Central at Alexandra.

The top two sides qualify for the five-day final from March 19.

No play was possible at Colin Maiden Park, Auckland, yesterday after heavy overnight rain seeped under the covers, ruling out a start to Northern Districts' chase for the 417 they needed for first innings points against Auckland.

Both teams took a point, as did Wellington and Central Districts after a late start at the Basin Reserve where Wellington, after two days' sitting in the dressing-room, took its first innings tally to 229 for eight - Gavin Larsen 111 not out - before setting Central an 80-over chase. Central lost a couple of wickets before shutting up shop.

An outright win to Central or Otago in their clash at Alexandra's Molyneux Park in the last round - starting Friday - would guarantee them the home advantage for the final.

An outright win over Canterbury in Hamilton would take Northern into the final.

Short scoreboard: Wellington v Central match at Basin reserve

Wellington 329 (G Larsen 118no, M Jefferson 51, J Franklin 43) Central Districts 172/2 (C Spearman 49, J Englefield 71no).