Two declarations and Gary Stead's completing his century marked the third day of the Northern Districts-Canterbury Shell Trophy match at Whangarei.

Stead's unbeaten 121 stood out in a Canterbury innings of 249 for nine declared. He added 50 to his overnight score of 77, in the process given considerable help by Carl Anderson (17) in a 59-run partnership for the seventh wicket.

The Canterbury captain's 100 was his sixth first-class century, his second this season and was just nine runs short of his highest score. Coming off 251 balls in 286 minutes with 11 fours, it was particularly notable in an innings where the next highest score was 24 and most of the batsmen had treated the pitch like a minefield.

The second day had dawned - for want of a better word - under heavy overcast skies, with high humidity and water on the pitch surrounds after overnight rain had breached the covers. Yet as if a magic wand had been waved over Cobham Oval the sun came out, the rain stayed away and just an hour's delay was necessary before a full day's play was set in motion.

Stead's century was the first business of the day. Once dealt with, the issue became the state of the match, the abandoned first day and shortened second reducing the time for a result. There was time enough for Joseph Yovich to pick up a couple of wickets to produce the rather flattering figures, given the number occasions the batsmen did not have to play, of two for 29 off 23 overs. Grant Bradburn was left with his four from the previous day, his 32 overs going for 26.

The first declaration of the day gave Northern four overs to play out before lunch. They survived that but were soon in trouble at 10 for two before the Marshall twins, James (25) and Hamish (17), put on a 38-run partnership. That was followed by a 62-run effort by Bradburn (36 not out) and Yovich 28 not out) as Northern worked themselves towards a declaration in the last session.

Ryan Burson and Shane Bond picked up a brace each before Robbie Hart declared at 114 for five with an hour to play, leaving Canterbury 130 ahead.

It was just left to Stead to let everyone know he had plenty left with a quickfire 35 not out in 25 minutes from 26 balls as Canterbury went through to 64 for two at stumps. They have a lead of 194, providing the prospect of an interesting final day tomorrow - if the weather allows.

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