Central Districts have long had the reputation of a sturdy team spirit even among their players from scattered centres, and very often playing far above the average level of ability of their players.

The old CD spirit was very much alive as they thrashed Auckland by eight wickets in the low-scoring Shell Cup match at Eden Park today - and vibrantly alive as 26-year-old Bevan Schwass produced the new version of the grand old CD attitude.

Schwass is, as his name suggests, of far-distant German origin. Born in Nelson, he was brought up in Dunedin, re-transplanted in Nelson, played some cricket on Vancouver Island in Canada during his OE, came back to some minor Nelson cricket - and today strangled the fancy Auckland batting line-up.

Schwass had to wait until Ewen Thompson had knocked the soft armour from the top of the Auckland inning with the first three wickets, and then and later Bevan Griggs took five catches as wicket-keeper.

But Schwass, of modest military medium pace, finished off Auckland with four wickets for 14 runs from six overs.

Afterward Schwass was pleased with his own effort, but had higher praise for the do-or-die attitude of his young and sometimes experienced team-mates - and with leadership given by Dipak Patel, the former Aucklander and now CD coach who probably got especial pleasure from today's win.

"That's the way we try to do well, to back each other up and play to the best of our ability," said Schwass.

"That is the kind of leadership and direction we get within the team from Dipak's coaching."

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