There was not a lot to get excited about with rain interrupting play on day two of the Plunket Shield match between Otago and Wellington.
There were just 9.2 overs possible but it was enough for Otago to pick up two wickets. Stephen Murdoch spooned a catch back to the bowler, Rhys Phillips, for 43, and veteran opener Michael Papps got an inside edge through to Otago wicketkeeper Derek de Boorder.
It was de Boorder's 300th dismissal (281 catches, 19 stumpings) in first-class cricket.
It is a great achievement for a player who earlier this month described himself as the ''drummer in the band''.
''It is just something I guess you tick off,'' de Boorder said.
''I hope to keep going and catch a few more. It is nice to achieve. It takes a lot of hard work and I guess it does give you some pleasure. It does not win games of cricket all the time, though.''
Wellington is 119 for three in reply to Otago's dismal first innings total of 208.
The poor weather has robbed the game of time but the Firebirds are in a position to build a lead and perhaps push for an outright victory.
''It all depends on how much time is taken out with this weather. But I think both teams will look to try and get a result and set the game up one way or another.
''Both teams will be pretty keen to get some points before we head into the twenty20 competition.''
Otago desperately needs points. It started the round in fifth place with 19 points. Central Districts is last with 18 points but it has a game in hand, as does Wellington which is in third place with 34 points.
Northern Districts lead with 48 points from Auckland (35). Canterbury is in fourth place with 32 points.
Jimmy Neesham provided the delivery which brought about de Boorder's 300th victim. He has two for 45 from 10.2 overs and has bowled better than the statistics suggest.
Phillips has one for 18 and has settled on a better length than he has previously.
Canterbury's Kyle Jamieson produced a devastating spell, taking eight for 74, to help dismiss Auckland for 285 in Rangiora. Aces batsman Colin Munro counterattacked with an undefeated 108 from 86 deliveries. At stumps, on day two, Canterbury was 73 without loss and leads by 33 runs.
In Napier, Central Districts spinner Ajaz Patel took five for 22 to help dismiss Northern Districts for 153. The home side is 98 without loss in its second dig and leads by 170 runs.
