A century to Colin de Grandhomme has put Northern Districts in a healthy position in their second round Plunket Shield clash with Canterbury.

The new Bay of Plenty resident bludgeoned 16 fours and two sixes on his way to 115, a timely refresher with the bat for him just before he returns to the Blackcaps fold for their trip to the United Arab Emirates to meet Pakistan.

Along with 77 from Dean Brownlie, Ish Sodhi's 50, and Daryl Mitchell's 48 de Grandhomme's knock carried ND through to 378 all out in their first innings at Christchurch's Hagley Oval.

Canterbury in reply at the end of the second day today were 83 for two.

Northern Districts are looking for their second win of the Plunket Shield season after cleaning up Otago by eight wickets last week at the Bay Oval.