After a close match Ashburton beat the North Otago representative cricket team at Ashburton on Saturday. By its win the home side retained the Richards Trophy.

The final innings left Ashburton with 167 runs to score for victory. Only 140 minutes were left for play when the innings began, but determined play by the early batsmen won the game.

The highest scorers in the Ashburton innings were D.Smith (not out 69) and H. Cullen (70). Both hit the loose ball hard and treated all the North Otago bowlers for scant respect.

Short Scorecard(s)

Representative - Richards Trophy -

North Otago vs Ashburton County at Ashburton Domain Oval, Ashburton
North Otago 240 ( G. Parker 45, W. Wardle 40, A. Kelman 39no, K. Murray 26, M.F. Sandri 24, J.D.M Herron 22, R.W. Pile 12, S. Goodwin 4-69, H. Jordan 2-42, F. Saunders 2-55 ) & 123 ( I.T. Geddes 40, J.D.M Herron 31, G. Parker 12, W. Wardle 11, S. Goodwin 5-45, L. Moore 4-25 )
Ashburton County 197 ( F. Saunders 44no, C. Robertson 40, S. Goodwin 31, H. Jordan 26, I. Griffiths 16, J.D.M Herron 2-21, G. Parker 2-27 ) & 168-4 ( H.J. Cullen 70, D.M. Smith 69no, S. Goodwin 12, A. Kelman 2-45 )
Ashburton County won by 6 wickets.
Full scorecard for the match