Marsh was unbeaten on 41 and Murphy just dismissed on 42 when play was stopped at about 5pm, the Butchers at 4-123 after 36 overs, chasing Dapto’s 7-161. 

Play was abandoned soon after, with Northern Districts earning the points on the Duckworth-Lewis system. 

“The run rate wasn’t the issue, we just had to keep our wickets and stay out there,” Marsh said. 

“We’d lost a couple of early ones, but we knew if hung around we’d get there. The pitch played really well, considering how much rain we’ve had recently.”

Opener Jonathan Fowles and off-spin English recruit Tom Hartley each took three wickets in restricting Dapto, while Dale Scifleet was the standout for the Canaries, finishing with 36 not out and three wickets of his own.

Meanwhile, Corrimal have made an early-season statement, bowling Helensburgh out for 109 to secure a thrilling seven-run win at Ziems Park. 

Corrimal were bowled out for 116 in 41.4 overs, as Neil Ryan did the damage, taking 4-22.

But not even a half-century from captain Mitch McCrae was enough for the Tigers in response, losing 4-8 at the end.

Jack Cartwright (3-18 off six) took two crucial wickets to seal victory.

Elsewhere, Keira were thrashed by Wollongong, as David Wood’s four wickets helped restrict them to just 83, chasing the Lighthouse Keepers’ 164.

Balgownie needed just 20.2 overs to reel in Port Kembla’s 127, Corbin Brown top-scoring for the Magpies with 36, while Michael Stephenson was 31 not out. 

And University prevailed on Duckworth-Lewis, when they were 2-153 after 33 overs chasing Wests’ total of 7-205 at Uni Oval.

Toby Dodds was 62 not out when play was halted. 

In South Coast cricket, Kiama-Gerringong opener Randall Starr had smashed 62 off 30 balls in a desperate, but ultimately futile, effort to beat the rain in Saturday’s drawn match against The Rail.

Starr and Zac Parker (24 not out off 21 balls) had blasted their way to 0-90 off 8.2 overs, chasing The Rail’s total of 158.

Parker had earlier taking three wickets, while Ben Grant snared 3-21 off 10 to restrict The Rail, who were all out in 47 overs, after Jamie Fanning (35) and Tim Goodall (29 not out) launched a late innings fightback.

But Starr and Parker’s lightning partnership still wasn’t enough, the game being declared a draw, when Saturday afternoon’s storm hit.

Meanwhile, Kerrod White hit 13 fours and two sixes to finish with 110 and lead Lake Illawarra to 219 off 42.2 overs at Howard Fowles Oval. 

Ruan Pieters provided valuable assistance with 35, while captain Mark Ulcigrai opened with 21 runs.

Shellharbour were 3-83 in reply off 18.3 overs when the match was abandoned, resulting in another draw. 

The other match, between Oak Flats and Kookas, was abandoned with a ball being bowled.