North Otago opener Keith Gardner propelled North Otago to a rare outright victory over Southland in their two day National Districts Championship match at Centennial Park yesterday.
The experienced lefthander patiently batted for 307 minutes, scoring an unbeaten 75 of 16 balls in the second innings as North Otago scored 259 for 6, having been set 258 to win.
North Otago captain Mark Wilson could not praise Gardner enough for his lengthy tenure at the pitch
"North Otago have been looking for a guy who would and open and bat like that for a while. It was an amazing effort," Wilson said. "There were some pretty good celebrations after the game."
Although officials are yet to confirm it, Wilson thought it was the first time North Otago have had an outright victory over Southland in 30 years.
After winning the ross, Southland batted first, making 193 all out in the first innings and 195 for seven in the second before declaring.
North Otago could only manage 131 in their first innings as Southland skittled them in 37.1 overs.
Tall right arm pace bowler Phil Pasco was the outstanding performer for Southland, taking eight wickets for the match.
In contrast to Gardner, middle order batsmen Wade Moore was in a belligerent mood with the bat in both innings.
Moore smashed 73 runs off 89 balls to form a fourth wicket stand of 112 runs in the second innings and top scored for this side in the first with 32.
Although unable to get any full tosses away, the powerful 17-year-old right-hander punished anything short of a line or length.
Wilson said North Otago knew they would be in with a good show if Moore and Gardner could establish a partnership.
"We knew we had to be there at the end. With the outfield being quite quick, we knew we were in for a chance," he said.
Fast left arm bowler David Sewell and medium pace left armer Brad Kernahan spearheaded the North Otago attack.
Kernahan finished with six wickets for the match and Sewell with five.
Aaron Dawe was unlucky to be run out for 63 in the second innings when a hard hit drive from Gardner was deflected by spin bowler Logan Savory on to Dawe's stumps.
Top order batsman Mike Hesson, who batted in the first innings, did not bat in the second after breaking a bone in his right hand.
North Otago, previously sitting on five points with Central Otago and Southland, earned 12 points for the win.
Dunedin Metropolitan are now on 21 points after playing Central Otago in the weekend.
The winner of the zone earns the right to challenge Northland for the national district championship title.
Short Scorecard(s)
Representative - National District Championship - Zone Series
Southland vs North Otago at Centennial Park Oval, Oamaru
Southland 193 ( D. Hall 68, D. Cocker 44, O. Wilson 13, P. Henry 11, B. Kernahan 3-37, D.G. Sewell 3-53, J. Munro 2-24 ) & 195-7 ( D. Cocker 56, P. Henry 50, D. Petre 27no, O. Wilson 15, B. Kernahan 3-36, D.G. Sewell 2-69 )
North Otago 131 ( W. Moore 32, M. Wilson 25, C. Hore 15, Pasco 5-43, Petre 3-34 ) & 259-6 ( K. Gardiner 75no, W. Moore 73, A. Dawe 63, B. Kernahan 18, Pasco 3-58 )
North Otago won by 4 wickets
Full scorecard for the match