But Otago's progress was measured and it fell short of taking control of the match, rather seemed prepared to let play meander on its own course.

Otago have been guilty of that failing more than once in this match. They made early inroads into Central's batting after winning the toss and bowling but they didn't press home that early advantage. Instead, they let Central recover from 90-5 and 139-8 to 178.

And when they surpassed that total in the middle of today's second session, with six wickets down and Simon Beare in good form, they failed again to press on and achieve greater dominance.

They lost Beare for 60 when they were 217 - 39 runs ahead - and they had gone on only to 227-7 by tea. Their lead was then 49 but greater alacrity and deciciveness was needed if Otago were to achieve larger control of the match.

Otago have lost only four wickets today while adding 168 runs in two sessions. Chris Gaffaney and Beare have reached half centuries and Craig Pryor and others have made valuable contributions.

Otago will now ideally continue its innings into the final session, then allow its bowlers a few overs at Central before the close. Quick runs might be an ally as the match progresses and the pitch eases to give less encouragement to the bowlers.

The match pivots on Otago's approach over the next hour.

Chris Gaffaney, running the first leg, took his score from 33 overnight to 66 before he was out in the 50th over, when Otago was yet 52 runs from Central's first innings total of 178.

Gaffaney then passed the baton to Craig Pryor, with whom he had added 75 for the fourth wicket after coming together at 51-3.

Pryor, who made 38 first in company with Gaffaney and then with Simon Beare, took his team on to 162 - only 16 runs in deficit - before he was out in the 65th over.

Beare then led the race and it was he who saw Otago past Central's first innings total before drinks were taken in the middle of the second session.

Beare added 36 with Pryor for the fifth wicket and 44 with Nathan Morland for the sixth, but lost the company of Morland just as drinks were to be taken. Morland was out for seven, caught by wicketkeeper Bevan Griggs from the bowling of Andrew Schwass.

Beare was then 53 not out and Otago were 206-6, leading by 26 runs. As the latest baton carrier, Beare was batting with fluency and proficiency and Otago's lead seemed likely to be a healthy one.

Sound batting through the morning by Chris Gaffaney and Craig Pryor - the loss of only Gaffaney's wicket - allowed Otago to consolidate its overnight position.

Otago resumed at 59-3 this morning and Gaffaney and Prior, their overnight pair, shared a stand of 75 for the fourth wicket which altered the balance of the match.

When Gaffaney was out for 66 in the 50th over, caught at slip by Campbell Furlong from Brent Hefford's bowling, Central was 126-4 and only 52 runs from Central's first innings score.

By lunch, at which Pryor was 36 not out and Simon Beare 16, Otago 157-4 and poised to overtake Central's fist innings of 178. Pryor and Beare had added a further 31 for the fifth wicket.

The session had brought Otago 98 runs for the loss of Gaffaney's wicket and left them poised for what will be only their fourth first innings lead in 10 matches this season.

Gaffaney had played a sound and confident innings, batting more than three hours, facing 161 balls and hitting six fours. His defence was resolute and his attacking shots, sporadic, were well chosen.

Pryor batted with equal application through his first partnership with Gaffaney and then as senior partner with Beare.

He had faced 116 balls in a stay at the crease of more than 150 minutes and had hit four fours by lunch.

Otago's progress today suggested a change in the nature of the McLean Park pitch which had been greenish when Otago won the toss and bowled on the first day. There was some slight movement, a confusion of pace, on the first day when 13 wickets fell.

McLean Park traditionally provided good batting conditions and Otago's sound advancement today suggested a change in favour of the batsmen.

Worth only eight runs when play concluded last night, the partnership grew in stature throughout today's first session and had yielded 61 runs when drinks were taken mid-morning.

Gaffaney had gone on to a diligent and immensely important half century after resuming at 33 overnight. He was 61 at the drinks break and Pryor, 0 not out overnight, had progressed patiently, stoically to 18.

Otago were 112-3 at the drinks adjournment, having resumed at 59-3 and were only 66 runs behind Central's first innings of 178 with seven wickets in hand.

Gaffaney was always likely to be a crucial player for Otago today as they pursued first innings points and, beyond that, some measure of control in this match. They had enjoyed such control when they had Central 139-8 in their first innings and as they bowled first after winning the toss.

Gaffaney is an eager counter-punching batsman, one who comes into his own when the chips are down. Pryor, also, is a man whose temperament is suited to a crisis and he provided the perfect, uncompromising support Gaffaney needed today to show his best form.

Otago now have a chance to go on to a first innings lead by the end of the first session, then to dictate the future course of the match throughout the afternoon.

They will resume on the second day at 59-3, replying to Central's moderate first innings of 178 and with Chris Gaffaney 33 not out.

Gaffaney is a player around whom a solid innings could be formed. He bats with resolution, with sound technique and with an ability, manifested at times this season, to punish bad bowling.

If Gaffaney can go on with his innings now that he has gained a start he could lead Otago today to first innings points.

He will receive initial support today from Craig Pryor who was 0 not out overnight. Pryor is another player out of the old school of Otago players who often produces his best form in tight situations.

He has a half century to his credit this season and a highest first class score of 61. He is able, even in difficult situations, to play long innings and his partnership with Gaffaney in today's first session might help Otago build a reasonable innings.

If Central can part this pair early on, and their talented medium pace attack will be fresher this morning, they might go on to dismiss Otago expeditiously.

It has been the nature of Otago innings this season that once a decline begins it swiftly gains its own momentum.

The weather in Napier today is again fine and warm with no apparent threat of disruption to play.