Wellington, Feb 25 NZPA - Middle-order pair Luke Woodcock and Stewart Rhodes came to the rescue for a stumbling Wellington to hand them opening day honours against Auckland in their Plunket Shield cricket match in Auckland today.

The pair came together with the total 156 for four at Colin Maiden Park, and they added an unbroken 122 for the fifth wicket with both set to resume on 74 not out tomorrow.

Woodcock batted 207 minutes and faced 134 balls in his unbeaten innings, while Rhodes had faced 122 deliveries at the close.

Bottom-placed Auckland made a solid start on winning the toss after a rain delay, with Gareth Shaw making inroads as Wellington were reduced to 77 for three.

Shaw finished the day with three for 58 off 18 overs, with Michael Bates the other wicket-taker.

Michael Pollard began the rescue mission with a solid 60 in 154 minutes before he became Shaw's third victim, caught behind by Reece Young.

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