John Crombie

North Otago lost to South Canterbury by five wickets in its final U-Bix Cup cricket game played at Aorangi Park in Timaru in the weekend.

North Otago played well for most of the game scoring 306 for seven in the first innings. However, a lower order batting collapse in the second innings resulted in North Otago being dismissed for 257 giving South Canterbury a target of 213 in 38 overs to win, which was always possible on the good batting wicket.

South Canterbury reached its target with four overs and five wickets remaining to win the match and zone five of the U-Bix Cup elimination series. South Canterbury now challenge the holders Southland in Invercargill from March 7-9.

The highlight of North Otago's first innings was a hard-hit 74 by all-rounder Jeff Mawhinney and a 40 run ninth wicket partnership between John Crombie and Paddy Bleach. Mawhinney was in an aggressive mood hitting ten fours and two sixes in his innings which lasted only 67 minutes before he was caught behind off the bowling of Dave Gudsell.

Ross Ward batted confidently in the second innings scoring 91 not out. He hit 14 hours and one six in his innings which lasted just over three hours before he ran out of partners.

Crombie was easily the best of North Otago's bowlers taking seven wickets in the match. He was in particularly good form in the first innings when he took four wickets for 29 runs of 15 overs.

North Otago has now completed its U-Bix campaign with two draws and two losses.

Short Scorecard(s)

Representative - U-Bix Cup - Zone Series

North Otago vs South Canterbury at Aorangi Park, Timaru
North Otago 261 ( J. Mawhinney 74, G. Johnston 37, P.D. Bleach 36, J.B. Crombie 27no, G. Ward 22, R.M. Ward 14, R. MacGregor 12, Ballantyne 4-51, Hampson 3-67, Gudsell 2-58 ) & 257 ( R.M. Ward 91no, M. Wilson 64, J. Mawhinney 30, R. MacGregor 26, G. Johnston 17, Hunter 5-53, Hampson 3-46 )
South Canterbury 306-7dec ( S. Hampson 84no, P. Duffield 73no, B. Carlaw 31, D. Fisher 31, B. Ward 29, J. Paul 18, S. Reid 16, J.B. Crombie 4-29 ) & 213-5 ( B. Carlaw 40, J. Paul 26, S. Hampson 23no, D. Fisher 22no, J.B. Crombie 3-58 )
South Canterbury won by 5 wickets
Full scorecard for the match

Player Pages:
John Crombie | Ross Ward |