After lunch (1.45) yesterday, Gosano and Cutler continued North Otago's first innings to the bowling of Aitkenhead and Smith. The 100 came up at 1 p.m. after 95 minutes play. In the first ball of Smith's fifth over, Cutler hit a ball hard to Sutcliffe fielding at silly mid-on. The ball struck Sutcliffe's left arm and he was forced to retire hurt for some time. Gosano brought up his 50 with a lovely six to the leg boundary off the last ball of Smith's sixth over after lunch. His 50 had taken him 110 minutes. Pearson was brought on at the southern end to replace Atkenhead, and Smith and he continued the attack. Both batsmen were now very confident and the score moved along at a good rate. In Pearson's second over Gosano square cut him for a glorious four between cover and cover-point, and Cutler on-drove him for two after Gosano had square cut him again for a single. Buchenham was brought on at the northern end to relieve Smith and bowled a maiden to Cutler. Varley a slow-medium swinger, replaced Pearson, the numerous bowling changes no doubt being effected to break the partnership. In the fourth ball of Beckenham's second over after lunch Cutler was clean bowled attempting a sweep to leg - 133-2-24. Buckenham was bowling particularly well having taken one for none of his two overs after lunch. Gosano hit five fours off the last five balls of Varley's second over, four of them going to the leg boundary and one to the off. Berry hit a single in Buckenham's next over, and Gosano helping himself to another four past point making his sixth successive boundary and taking him from 65 to 89. Smith came on at the southern end to replace Varley and off his first ball Gosano was dropped from a hard chance at mid-on. At this stage was getting excited as he approached his century. He appeared to be very nervous in the 90's. Buckenham continued bowling at the northern end and the spectators held their breaths when Gosano lofted one or two ball which fortunately for him dropped safely into the outfield. A four and then a single off the last two balls of Smith's eighth over after lunch bought up Gosano's 100, a lovely innings made in 145 minutes. His first 50 had taken 110 minutes and his second 35 minutes. Buckenham was still bowling well at the other end and keeping the batsmen quiet. Off Smith's next over Gosano hit a four to long-on and Berry hit one to square leg. In Smith's tenth over after lunch he had Berry stumped off the first ball -184-3-8. Moir replaced Berry and faced out the rest of Smith's over very uncomfortably. In Buckenham's next over Gosano lofted him to long-on for yet another four. He continued to delight the crowd with lovely stroke making, featuring a beautiful late-cut and after hitting a six to long-on off the third ball of Smith's next over was caught at cover off the next attempting a drive -195-4-119. His 119 runs had taken him 158 minutes, and included 15 4's and two 6's. Kelk was the incoming batsmen and he and Moir proceeded to run several quick singles. The 200 came up in 165 minutes at 3.10 p.m. and Buckenham and Smith continued to bowl unchanged. Moir hit a four hard to long-on off Buckenham and after his uncertain start he was batting confidently at this stage. After lofting one high from Smith to mid-on for two Moir was caught at mid-off off the next ball -215-5-15. Geddes was the next batsmen and he on-drove Smith for two off the second ball he received. Kelk, the left-hander, was shaping well at the other end and McCrorie was brought on to replace Buckenham at the northern end. After Smith's next over the afternoon tea adjournment was taken at 3.30 p.m. the score being North Otago 217 for five wickets, Kelk not out 5, and Geddes not out 2, at which stage they declared. The North Otago total was made in 180 minutes.

Murdoch and Stevenson opened for Otago after tea against the bowling of McDiarmid and Maddigan, two fours being taken by Murdoch off McDiarmids first over, one being a lucky snick through the slips. McDiarmid was bowling with hostility and had Murdoch in difficulties in his second over. Maddigan kept the batsmen quiet at the other end with his slow medium swingers, but Murdoch put another four through the covers of McDiarmid's third over. In Madigan's fourth over he clean bowled Murdoch with a good in-swinger -19-1-15. Buckenham was the next batsmen. McDiarmid continued to worry the batsmen with his medium-paced out-swingers and at this early stage the bowlers appeared to be on top. At 4.15 a light drizzle began to fall which did not interfere seriously with the game however. The score was taken along quietly, McDiarmid and Maddigan continuing to bowl unchanged. Off the third ball of Madigan's seventh over Stevenson hit a four between square and fine leg, but in the fifth ball of the same over he was given out l.b.w. -38-2-19. Pearson was the incoming batsmen, and Berry was brought on at the southern end to relieve McDiarmid. Buckenham swept Madigan's first ball of his next over to the square leg boundary fro four and took a two and three of the third and sixth, bringing up the first 50 in 40 minutes. He hit a four hard to square leg off the first ball of Berry's next over, but played the last five balls quietly. Cutler replaced Maddigan at the northern end bowling slow-medium out-swingers to a packed off-field. Berry continued to bowl his medium out-swingers at the southern end, but the batsmen, especially Buckenham, were playing all the bowlers confidently at this stage. Off the last ball of Cutler's second over Buckenham swept him to the mid-leg boundary for six and off the last ball of Berry's next over cover drove him for four. In Cutler's third over a misunderstanding between the batsmen resulted in Pearson being run out at the bowlers end -77-3-8. The incoming batsman was the one the crowd had been waiting for Bert Sutcliffe. Berry had the honour of bowling first ball to him but Sutcliffe's arm seemed to be troubling him after he had taken a single of the second. By this time the drizzle had become heavier and rather unpleasant for players and spectators alike. Sutcliffe scored his first few runs with well placed singles and two's, his first boundary coming from a perfect cover drive off the last ball of Berry's last over. The North Otago fielding was keen, although underfoot conditions were slippery. The 100 came up in 75 minutes. Currie was brought on to replace Berry at the southern end and Buckenham hit his first two ball powerfully to the square and fine leg boundaries for successive fours. Sutcliffe still appeared to be having trouble with his arm and was going along quietly with fluent stroke-making. Buckenham at the other end was scoring freely all round the wicket. Cutler and Currie continued to bowl and in Currie's next over Buckenham hit him for a six and four to leg while Sutcliffe took a two with a nice leg glide. Maddigan was brought on at the other end to replace Cutler and Sutcliffe lofted him to the leg boundary for four. It was noticeable at this stage that Sutcliffe was putting most of the power into his strokes with his right arm. Berry came on at the southern end in place of Currie and in Madigan's tenth over Sutcliffe hit four fours, two lofted to the long-on boundary, one a chance over slips, and the other a cover drive. Buckenham took a single off the first ball of Berry's eighth over and Sutcliffe hit the next three balls to the leg boundary, making his seventh successive four and carrying his score from 29 to 57. Sutcliffe gave another chance this time to Cutler on the long-off boundary off the fifth ball which was not accepted, and the batsmen ran three. Off the last ball of this very eventful over, Geddes brilliantly caught Buckenham at cover point - 180-4-68. Buckenham was in for 90 minutes and had played a fine aggressive innings which included seven 4's and two 6's. His partnership with Sutcliffe realized 103 runs in 48 minutes. Smith, the Otago captain, was the incoming batsmen and, by this time, although the rain had ceased, conditions were very cold. Cutler replaced Maddigan at the northern end and with his third ball took a fine caught and bowled off Sutcliffe -184-5-64. Sutcliffe had been at the wicket for 50 minutes for his 64 and although obviously handicapped by his injured arm, he could not help but impress the spectators with his masterly placements. Included in his score were nine 4's. At this stage, with 20 minutes to go to stumps, Otago still required 34 runs to pass the North Otago first innings total. Varley replaced Sutcliffe and almost immediately gave a chance to slips of Berry that was not accepted. The 200 came up just after 5.45 p.m. and took 115 minutes. Smith and Varley were both going for the long handle and runs came quickly. Smith gave a hard chance to point of Cutler which went for four and with five minutes to go Smith lofted Berry to the long-off boundary for the winning hit. Geddes bowled the last over of the day from the northern end. Some amusement was created when Smith in attempting to hit a full-toss from Geddes literally threw his bat away. At stumps Otago had scored 235 runs for the loss of five wickets, Smith 23 not out and Varley 26 not out. The innings had occupied 130 minutes.

It had been an entertaining day's cricket. In a total playing time of 315 minutes, 452 runs had been scored for the loss of only 10 wickets. There was no exceptional bowling performances, but the batting was always interesting, Gosano, Buckenham and Sutcliffe all being outstanding. It was a very creditable showing for North Otago and those few who were lucky enough to see the game were more than satisfied with the day's cricket.

Short Scorecard(s)

Representative - Friendly -

Otago XI vs North Otago at Waitaki BHS, Oamaru
North Otago 217 ( J. Gosano 119, G. Parker 33, A.S.H. Cutler 24, P. Moir 15, L.D. Smith 3-62 )
Otago XI 235-5 ( M.H. Buckenham 68, B. Sutcliffe 64, R.H. Varley 26no, L.D. Smith 23no, R. Stevenson 19, K. Murdock 15, J. Maddigan 2-48 )
First innings win to Otago XI
Full scorecard for the match