The Northern Districts cricketers have one hand on the Plunket Shield after the opening day of their final round match against Central Districts in Napier.
Just needing first innings points to take the title, Northern are 75 for 4 in reply to Central's first innings of 217.
Second placed Canterbury were dismissed for 203, with hosts Auckland 145 for 1 in reply.
Jesse Ryder scored a century with Wellington 328 for 6 batting first against Otago at the Basin Reserve.
