Northern Districts dominated the second day of its Plunket Shield match against Otago at Whangarei yesterday and has the upper hand halfway through the match.
Otago could reach only 298 on the second day, losing its final five wickets quickly, for the addition of just 13 runs.
Josh Finnie was out without adding to his score and the tail failed to wag, which was disappointing for Otago, as it was looking to push well past 300 on a very flat pitch.
Northern was in control at the end of the day, sitting on 251 for three wickets.
Black Caps test wicketkeeper BJ Watling brought up his 14th first-class century and his ninth for Northern Districts. He scored his century off 218 balls and did not appear to be in any trouble.
Watling shared a hefty partnership with Bharat Popli.
Popli looked set for another century in what has been a prolific season but he was dismissed for 89 by James Neesham when Otago took the second new ball.
Earlier, North Otago schoolboy Nathan Smith took his first first-class wicket on debut.
He trapped former Black Cap Dean Brownlie in front for 22.
Smith bowled tidily enough, although he did not make double figures when batting.
Brad Wilson added only three runs to his overnight total before he was dismissed for 126.
Northern Districts seamer James Baker took his third five-wicket bag of the season.
The home team will look to push past Otago's total today (it is 47 runs behind) and then get a substantial lead in a game where only pride is at stake.
● At the Basin Reserve, Wellington opener Michael Papps became the first player to bring up 10,000 domestic first-class runs in the country in his side's first innings against Canterbury.
