South Canterbury 114 ( B. Carlaw 43, J. Hunter 15, P.D. Bleach 5-31, T. Patton 3-41, D.A. Cartwright 2-31 ) & 270-7 ( P. Tutton 107, B. Carlaw 39no, C. Leonard 35, K. Williams 24, J. Allen 14, D.A. Cartwright 3-42, E.J. Hills 2-4 )
North Otago 327 ( E.J. Hills 99, N.D. Cartwright 55, D.W. Reid 29, G.J. Ballantyne 25, A.D. Sandri 20, G. Pitches 20, D.A. Cartwright 17, G.D. Johnston 14, Hunter 4-43, Eggelton 2-102 )
First innings win to North Otago
Full scorecard for the match

North Otago played some great cricket to defeat South Canterbury, on the first innings, at Centennial Park in the weekend.

The home side have now won their Zone five of the U-Bix Cup competition and will challenge the cup holders at the end of March. North Otago' last challenge was in 1966 when they lost to Hawkes Bay in Napier.

North Otago captain, Graeme Johnson, won the toss and sent South Canterbury on a wicket that looked as though it would offer assistance to the bowlers.

His decision was soon vindicated when Paddy Bleach broke through taking five wickets in the space of three overs. Bleach was sitting on a hat-trick twice and could well have had the sixth wicket, clean bowling Jonathan Hunter with a no ball.South Canterbury never recovered from this onslaught and managed to score just 114 runs. Brian Carlaw was the only batsman to provide any resistance with a fine 43.

North Otago batted confidently throughout their first innings and had no trouble surpassing South Canterbury's total. John Hills (99) and Nigel Cartwright (55) were particularly impressive combining for a third wicket partnership of 83 runs. Hills faced 257 balls, and hit nine fours and one six in his innings.

Graham Ballantyne also looked set for a big score, before he was run out for 25 by a direct hit.

North Otago were all out for 327 and looked as though they would win outright.

However South Canterbury batted well in their second innings and managed to hold on to stumps. Peter Tutton scored a fine century although he was fortunate to be dropped, at second slip, when he was on 24.

David Cartwright bowled a tight line and length in his second spell to pick up three wickets including that of Tutton. All of his victims were caught behind by brother Nigel.