North Otago's promising Hawke Cup campaign was brought to an end yesterday in Alexandra with Otago Country recording a resounding 10 wicket outright victory.

Otago Country's outright win sees them pick up 12 points for the game and means that they have an unassailable lead over North Otago.

To pose a serious threat, North Otago knew they had to bat well in the first innings - but it never happened. Batting first, after winning the toss, they were rolled for a disappointing 178 with no one really going on except Scott Simpson - who hit an elegant 71.

North Otago was well positioned at 79 for one with Duncan Drew and Simpson batting well at the crease, but once Drew departed, the wickets continued to fall at regular intervals.

In reply, Otago Country got steady partnerships throughout their innings to eventually make an imposing total of 337. Otago Volts squad member Leighton Morgan kicked it off at the top of the order hitting 86 and he combined with Brendon Domigan to produce a handy 69 run second wicket partnership. North Otago had a minor sniff at an opportunity with Otago Country at 200 for five, but pesky knocks in the middle to lower order from captain Jon Lovelock (64) and Scott Paulin (46) helped give them a crucial 145 run first innings lead.

Duncan Drew and Simon Butler looked to be steering North Otago out of trouble in the second innings, but once Drew went to make it 86 for three, North Otago again collapsed horribly to slump to 113 for seven.

An innings defeat looked on the cards, but that was prevented by a defiant 48 not out from Craig Smith and 33 from tail ender Paul Odell, who were instrumental in getting North Otago up to 202. Off spinner Will Sommerville bowled magnificently for the hosts - taking six for 45.

Needing just 45 runs for an outright victory, Otago Country never looked troubled, hitting the winning runs in the eighth over, without loss. They now progress to the South Island Hawke Cup elimination final against the Canterbury Districts winner which is likely to be Canterbury Country later this month.

Short Scorecard(s)

Representative - Hawke Cup - Zone Series

North Otago vs Otago Country at Molyneux Park, Alexandra
North Otago 178 ( S.A. Simpson 71, D.J. Drew 31, C.M. Smith 27, G.R. Cameron 15, P.M. Odell 12, Knox 5-42, Nevill 2-24, Purvis 2-30 ) & 202 ( C.M. Smith 48no, D.J. Drew 46, P.M. Odell 33, S.M. Butler 28, J.G. Ferris 16, Sommerville 6-45 )
Otago Country 337 ( L. Morgan 86, J. Lovelock 64, S. Paulin 46, B.J. Domigan 40, C. Rutherford 34, W. Sommerville 32, M. Knox 13, D.G. Sewell 4-88, A.J. Horrell 3-73 ) & 45-0 ( L. Morgan 35no )
Otago Country won by 10 wickets.
Full scorecard for the match

Team Pages:
North Otago 2008-2009 |