Trio boost Knights

Northern Knights’ middle order trio Nick Horsley, Joseph Yovich and Peter McGlashan bolstered the State Championship final hosts’ first innings total at Seddon Park.

Horsley (66) and Yovich (52) completed half-centuries and wicketkeeper McGlashan made 46 as the Knights avoided the follow-on against Canterbury Wizards.

And two wickets late on the third day of the five-day final slowed Canterbury’s second innings.

Yovich contributed to stands of 62 for the sixth wicket with Horsley, and 88 with McGlashan, which moved the Knights above three hundred before a flurry of tail-end wickets saw them dismissed for 319.

Bennett recorded the leading Wizards bowling figures of four for 46, with Leighton Burtt claiming three for 70.

Canterbury resumed with a 124-run advantage, but lost two top-order wickets in quick succession.

By stumps, they moved to 19 for two, with Michael Papps on 12 and nightwatchman Brandon Hiini on five.