Canterbury began the second day of their match against Northern Districts with 284/7, and lingered on till the first drinks break.

This was the second day of their match at the Village Green, and weather conditions were fine with light breezes, and cloud cover threatening drizzle later this evening.

Gareth Hopkins returned to the crease this morning with Paul Wiseman to drive the Canterbury total past the 300 mark, however this was not to be, with Tuffey securing his seventh wicket in the first over of the day. He had Wiseman out lbw for 13.

Hopkins brought up 300 for Canterbury with a high hook over deep square leg, which the side registered off 654 balls.

Graeme Aldridge brought Hopkins' innings to an end in the 111th over, just short of his half-century. He attempted to pull a ball that kept low and was given out lbw for 45, which he knocked off 82 balls.

On the second ball after drinks, Joseph Yovich wrapped up Canterbury's innings. He had Ryan Burson caught behind for 26, who stuck around at the crease for over an hour.

Canterbury ended up with 338 all out off 117 overs.

ND openers Grant Robinson and James Marshall got their side off to a steady start. They had 40 runs on the board by lunch and continued to accumulate their total.

Wicket-keeper Hopkins dropped Robinson for 14 in a diving attempt across first slip and then Marshall when he was on 36, which has proved expensive although the latter was a difficult chance.

Robinson was rather scratchy in his approach and off-spinner Wiseman eventually got the better of him. He was given out leg before wicket for 26. This drew their 86-run partnership to a close.

Meanwhile, Marshall looked to establish his innings. The 23-year-old quietly knocked up his half-century off 115 balls, including six fours.

Michael Parlane did not muck around at the crease, hitting a high shot over mid-wicket for four on his sixth ball.

ND brought up their 100 in the 45th over off 277 balls, while Marshall and Parlane established their 50-run partnership during an expensive 13-run over from Chris Harris.

Stephen Cunis, who bowled economically finished with seven maidens and 27 runs conceded from his 21 overs.

Umpires Gary Baxter and Robert Anderson checked light meters throughout the afternoon and finally called off play at 4.30pm at the close of the 68th over. Fifteen overs were lost at the end of the day's play.

Marshall has crept closer to his century and currently stands at 88 not out. He has now scored over 500 runs this season and may be set to beat his highest score of 122 in first-class cricket.

ND coach Bruce Blair said at the close of play that he intends to bat only once, due to the deteriorating nature of the pitch.

Marshall said he was happy with his batting performance and as the day progressed the deck became slow and low. He was not worried about having to leave the field so close to scoring his century. "It was a team decision and conditions simply got too dangerous."

He said his aim was to occupy the crease for as long as he could and for the team to surpass the Canterbury total by as much as possible. "We are trying to establish a large target so we don't have to bat last on this track."

Northern Districts were 161 for one at stumps and trail by 177 runs.

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