Already enjoying a marked advantage in batting and bowling, Auckland hit Northern Districts with an even sharper third fielding skill as they completed their second cricket Max win, following yesterday's win at Kaipara Flats with an even stronger 36-run win at Cornwall Park today.

Today Auckland may have been slightly below their most efficient form in reaching 119 for three wickets after batting first, and Northern Districts opened strongly in their first innings, against some wayward Auckland bowling.

However, just when ND seemed on the point of taking control the Auckland fielding pulled in five stunning catches of varying stages of brilliance. Tama Canning took two in the outfield, Chris Drum pulled in a hard chance to remove the danger man Michael Parlane, and Heath Davis plunged forward at point to take a difficult, low catch which brought Hamish Marshall back to earth after gaining New Zealand selection earlier in the day.

Then, with the finest catch of them all, John Aiken dived across and forward to pick up a centimetre or two above the grass tops a cover-drive by Grant Bradburn which was a good imitation of a white tracer bullet.

So ND were cut short at 91 for six wickets in their first innings, and seemed daunted as the Auckland batsmen swung onto attack to develop their first innings lead of 28.

Aaron Barnes, the Auckland opener, seemed upset - with cause - when he was run out after being impeded by a Northern Districts fieldsmen.

He had the consolation of watching Lou Vincent (52 not out) and Llorne Howell (42) set Auckland racing away to 137 for three, helped by some slapdash ND fielding at the end.

Only while Bailey was blasting away did ND look as if they might challenge Auckland, reaching 80 after five overs, but once Davis had Bailey caught and bowled Neal Parlane and Simon Doull in one over, ND were finished.

After two of five preliminary matches Auckland have seven points and Northern Districts one, so an Auckland win on Sunday at Cornwall Park will give Auckland an unbeatable lead in the five-match series.

© CricInfo