A close first innings win by the North Otago cricket team over Southland in Invercargill at the weekend was a fitting send-off for coach Justin Boyle, and means the team are unbeaten going into their first Hawke Cup challenge at the end of the month.

But reinstated captain Mark Wilson said yesterday the match, abandoned due to rain shortly into North Otago's second innings, was very close, and less than ideal preparation.

"That last hour of fielding at the end of the first day we were a bit disappointed," he said. "Southland were 44 for none at stumps and our attitude and performance weren't that great."

Young batsman Scott Simpson was identified by Wilson as the key to the team's batting success. Scoring 47 not out, Simpson managed to keep the lower batting order steady.

"He really held the innings together for us and worked with the lower order to produce 200 runs. There were guys this weekend who put their hand up for the challenge in Hamilton and he certainly was one of those," Wilson said.

In the bowling, spinner Shoruban Pasupati and pace bowler Michael Walding stood out for North Otago, he said.

"Other than that it was a huge team performance."

"On the second day the guys performed outstandingly. They showed a lot of heart. We had a good look at ourselves and a talk overnight about what we wanted to do."

The Southland team were all out for 199, and after rain upset play 38 overs into North Otago's second innings, both captains agreed to abandon the match. The outcome was decided on the first innings.

The match was the last the North Otago team would play under the guidance of coach Justin Boyle. He leaves for Christchurch today to take up a post as principal of St Bede's College.

Wilson considered the result an appropriate send-off.

"It was nice to show him we could pull it off."

Boyle told the Oamaru Mail yesterday he had enjoyed his time with the team and endorsed the role of Alison Banks.

"The work of Alison has done as manager behind the scenes, I wouldn't have been able to cope without her."

Boyle's departure makes way for new coach Paul Todd, a former English professional who has been playing for Valley. Todd played with the North Otago team in Southland, an idea suggested by Boyle and embraced by Wilson.

"It gave him an insight into the team and culture, and how we worked on and off the field," the captain said. "And all the team, especially myself, are looking forward to working with him."

Short Scorecard(s)

Representative - Hawke Cup - Zone Series

North Otago vs Southland at Queen's Park, Invercargill
North Otago 200 ( S.A. Simpson 47no, C.K. Cunningham 38, D.C. Gard 34, G.J. Billcliff 26, S. Pasupati 20, Lines 6-57, Billcliff 2-45 ) & 83-3 ( D. Turnbull 29no, C.K. Cunningham 17no, MacGillivory 2-28 )
Southland 199 ( G. Folster 52, O. Wilson 37, D. Williams 35, S. Wadsworth 27no, B. Sutherland 11, S. Pasupati 3-72, M. Walding 2-19, J. Jones 2-47 )
First innings win to North Otago
Full scorecard for the match