South Canterbury won the right to issues its first challenge for the season against Southland on January 24 in the Hawke Cup series when it scored a first innings win over North Otago at Oamaru over the weekend.

Batting was slow, each side being at the wicket for only one innings over the two-day game.

South Canterbury had first use of the wicket and on the first day scored an average of only two runs in the 99 overs bowled. Yesterday it declared at eight for 249.

North Otago's top batsmen failed to measure up and with three for 27 the seal was set for a South Canterbury win.

But a North Otago record fourth-wicket partnership by Norm McKenzie and Graeme Dawe of 81 brought respectability to the scoreboard.

North Otago was dismissed for 175 runs.

Short Scorecard(s)

Representative - Hawke Cup - Zone Series

South Canterbury vs North Otago at Oamaru
South Canterbury 249 ( B. Mackle 64, J. Davies 36, P. Melville 34no, J. Ward 27, J. Varcoe 19, B. Davidson 16no, R. Leslie 13, M. Laming 12, B. Andrews 11, C. Taylor 3-58, A.G. Cartwright 2-45 )
North Otago 175 ( N.W. McKenzie 56, D. Dawe 33, R.J. Mason 26no, A.G. Cartwright 19, S.J. Blakely 15, Varcoe 4-38, Blanchard 3-32 )
First innings win to South Canterbury
Full scorecard for the match