A 191-run opening partnership between the Auckland internationals Matt Horne and Mark Richardson ensured a solid foundation for Auckland as they chased Northern District's first innnings 383, ending the second day of their State Championship match on 244/3.

However, three wickets to the left-arm spinner Bruce Martin late in the day brought some order back into proceedings for Northern.

In a beautiful innings in which he mixed classically timed shots off his legs with straight driven sixes, Richardson ended with 133, including 20 fours and three sixes. In the end he was the victim more of tiredness than any deficiency on his part. None of the bowlers troubled him but he took particular liking to the left-arm spinners Matthew Hart and Martin, two of his sixes coming off Hart, one from Martin.

It was Martin who gained a measure of revenge on the left-armers' behalf, catching Richardson in front as the century-maker tried a tired swing in the 59th over.

At the other end, Horne, contributing 77 to the partnership, played a supporting role, frequently turning over the strike as Richardson dominated the bowling. But he too looked in fine form, very well organised as only Horne can look until he hit Martin back for a sharp return catch.

The Northern bowlers in general maintained a tighter line than most of the Aucklanders had produced. However, with Horne and Richardson making full use of the good batting conditions, there was little for them to cheer - or appeal - about until late in the day. Martin's first two overs had gone for 17 but he came back well to finish with three for 35 from 14, Aaron Barnes being his third victim for three. Graeme Aldridge's 13 overs for 36 were the most economical of the rest.

Earlier, Northern had taken all the first session to complete their innings. It started sedately from the overnight 301/6, crumbled to 326/9 down with three wickets falling in four overs including Robbie Hart's for 34, and blossomed late as Joseph Yovich and Aldridge added 57 for the last wicket.

Aldridge, with boundaries from his first five scoring strokes, some of which belied his number 11 position, produced the majority of the runs. His was the final wicket to fall, Brooke Walker almost in desperation calling on the essentially part-time Rob Nicol, and with relief seeing the off-spinner induce the thorn in Auckland's side to offer a simple catch to Richard Morgan in the covers on the stroke of lunch.

Aldridge contributed 33 to the partnership, Yovich carrying his overnight 18 through to an unbeaten 51.

Of the Auckland bowlers, Chris Drum continued his good form, finishing with four for 85 off 32 overs that included a morning spell of 11 overs of accurate and at times hostile pace bowling that brought just reward of two for 23. It also brought clear expressions of disappointment at the rejection of a couple of leg before appeals.

Sanjeewa Silva added another wicket to his overnight total tally of two, finishing with three for 74 from 25. The other bowlers used during the morning session, Morgan, who continued to struggle to find a consistent line, and Walker, failed to make an impression.

Auckland did reduce their generosity with extras, just five added to 44 that had been contributed to Northern's first-day total.

Auckland start the third day with seven wickets in hand needing 140 runs for first-innings points with Tim McIntosh on 20 and Nick Horsley on one.

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