The two-day cricket match between North Otago and South Canterbury faded away yesterday to a draw at Knottingly Park, Waimate.

South Canterbury, which had a first innings win, set a difficult task in not declaring their second innings closed until about 4.55 p.m. It gave North Otago only about 90 minutes (including a minimum of 15 overs in the last hour) to score 200 runs for an outright win.

The target was never in sight and at stumps North Otago had lost six wickets for 87 runs with South Canterbury having used 10 bowlers.

Ron Murdoch (65) and John Davies (89 not out) with 10 and 16 fours respectively provided first innings highlights on Saturday when South Canterbury won the toss and elected to bat first on the docile pitch.

Extras, totalling 21, was the next highest score.

With a long bowling stint of 21.37 overs, Peter Melville took five North Otago wickets for 45 runs. He and fellow off spinner, John Wilson (two for 63) bowled unchanged yesterday morning on a good line and length - troubling most of the batsmen.

North Otago finished with 172, 38 behind the South Canterbury total.

In South Canterbury's second strike, Murray Parker scored a bright 50, which included eight fours.

Short Scorecard(s)

Representative - Richards Trophy -

North Otago vs South Canterbury at Knottinglay Park, Waimate
South Canterbury 220 ( J. Davies 89no, R. Murdock 65, L. Williams 14, J. Ward 13, H. Munroe 3-66, A.G. Cartwright 3-71 ) & 157-6 ( M. Parker 50, N. Veitch 33, J. Davies 18, R. Murdock 17, J. Wilson 17, L. Williams 14, C. Taylor 2-53 )
North Otago 172 ( R.S. Wilson 47, A.G. Cartwright 37, M. Wheeler 21no, G.N. Johnstone 14, J.F. Wright 11, D. Dawe 11, Melville 5-45, Galwey 2-24, Wilson 2-63 ) & 87-6 ( G.N. Johnstone 29, J.F. Wright 23, R.S. Wilson 13, C. Taylor 11no, Murdock 2-11 )
First innings win to South Canterbury
Full scorecard for the match