The Hawke Cup-winning North Otago cricket team was recognised as Otago team of the year at the Otago Sports Awards on Friday.

Up against the Otago University rowing eight that competed in the Longhu Cup in China and the national champion Alexandra Bowling Club women's interclub sevens team, North Otago pipped the other finalists in what had been dubbed the most competitive category of the evening.

More than a dozen players and partners of the winning team made the trek to Dunedin for the awards function, including manager Peter Cartwright, who said the team was surprised to have even been nominated.

"We are the second smallest region competing in (the Hawke Cup), and for us to even make it past our regional competition with the likes of Otago Country and Southland is difficult. But to go up to Palmerston North and beat them on their home track is huge for us being so small, and I guess that's why the judges thought we deserved the award" Cartwright said.

North Otago earned the right to challenge the holders Manawatu after sneaking in as top qualifier from the southern zone competition.

North Otago ended up by winning the three-day battle by a whopping 159 runs, after holding a 48-run first innings lead thanks to the heroics of Duncan Drew and David Sewell in the 10th wicket partnership.

Cartwright said they headed to Palmerston North with the idea of having a go, but they hadn't really ever thought too hard about what if they won the 100-year-old association trophy.

"Being named team of the year is fairly special, but we never did any of it for the recognition. We didn't even think about winning it really. If we knew how big it was going to be before we won it, we probably wouldn't have won" Cartwright said.

Other big winners on the night were Paralympic skier Adam Hall won sportsperson and sportsman of the year for his gold medal effort in the downhill skiing at the Winter Paralympics in Vancouver.

Track cyclist Alison Shanks won sportswoman of the year, particularly for her four podium finishes at the recent world champs.