Tim Seifert unleashed the fastest century in New Zealand Twenty20 cricket to steer Northern Districts to a run-filled win over Auckland in Mount Maunganui.
The ND wicketkeeper smashed 107 off 42 balls in the first night match at Bay Oval but his team had their hands full defending their tally of 214-9.
Auckland fell seven runs short at 207-6, propelled by 65 off 38 from another 'keeper/opener, Glenn Phillips.
He couldn't match the clean hitting of Seifert, whose ton was reached off 40 balls, easily eclipsing the previous record of 45 balls established by Jamie How for Central Districts against Wellington in 2012.
There were nine fours and nine sixes from the 23-year-old who had never previously passed 50 in the shortest form because he batted down the order.
He was inspired to improve on the previous night's failure when opening in a loss to Wellington in Hamilton.
"It was just one of those nights that go your way - a couple of mis-hits which went for six - it was enjoyable," said Seifert, who became ND's first T20 centurion.
Opening partner Anton Devcich was the next-highest scorer with 33 while Auckland seamer Ben Lister (3-30) and ND's Australian signing Ben Laughlin (3-27) were the pick of the bowlers.
Both teams have a 1-1 record after two matches.
NZN