A first-innings century to Canterbury Country batsman Danny Bulman paved the way for a 125-run win over the North Otago cricket team at Southbridge at the weekend.
The North Otago was using the game as warm-up for their Hawke Cup campaign, which kicks off against Southland in Oamaru this weekend.
North Otago were without some leading talent, with Daniel Gard and Michael Walding deciding to concentrate on rugby training during the summer.
Canterbury Country won the toss at the Southbridge Domain, just south of Christchurch, and decided to bat first. North Otago opening bowler Andrew Mills had them on the rack early, with the home side falling to 11 for three before opener Simon Edwards (34) and Bulman dug in for a 111 run fourth wicket stand.
Captain Paul Rugg (28) supported Bulman, who blasted 13 boundaries on the way to a score of 114. Spinner Tim Geeves finally removed Bulman, who nicked a delivery to North Otago wicketkeeper Matt George. The visitors cleaned up the tail quickly, but still faced a total of 199 to chase.
Mills finished with three for 27 from six overs, while Grant Billcliff toiled for 18 overs to return four for 34. Geeves also bowling tightly to take three for 36 from 14 overs.
North Otago then faltered at the chase, with only Scott Simpson (24) and Paul Johnston (22) passing the 20 mark. Geeves managed 16 as North Otago crawled to 117 all out in 56 overs. Several batsmen, however, stuck around for lengthy period, boding well for the two-day Hawke Cup format.
Canterbury Country opening bowler Simon Murphy picked up four for 42, while his partner Brendon Donkers captured three for 16 of 12 tight overs.
The home team then looked to build on their 84-run first-innings lead, with Donkers (42), Peter Fulton (50) and Shannon Dunnett (32 not out) ensuring North Otago would have a steep total to chase. They declared at 157 for five, setting North Otago 239 for the win.
The chase started brightly as Craig Smith and Antony Cromwell put on 38 for the first wicket. Smith (21) then touched a delivery to wicketkeeper Andrew Robertson off the bowling of Tony Doody, while Cromwell (19) also fell to Doody as the pursuit faltered.
George (17) and Simpson (23) again proved stubborn in the middle order, but Canterbury County bowler Danny Barkley, who finished with four for nine, mopped up the tail as North Otago were all out for 115. Bulman took three wickets guiding his team to a comfortable 125 run victory.
Short Scorecard(s)
Representative - Friendly -
North Otago vs Canterbury Country at Southbridge Domain, Southbridge
Canterbury Country 199 ( D. Bulman 114, S. Edwards 34, P. Rugg 28, G.J. Billcliff 4-34, A. Mills 3-27, T. Geeves 3-36 ) & 157-5dec ( P. Fulton 50, B. Donkers 42, S. Dunnett 32no, D. Barclay 17, G.J. Billcliff 2-53 )
North Otago 117 ( S.A. Simpson 24, P. Johnston 22, T. Geeves 16, M. George 11, Murphy 4-42, Donkers 3-16 ) & 115 ( S.A. Simpson 23, C.A. Smith 21, A. Cromwell 19, M. George 17, Barclay 4-9, Bulman 3-28, Doody 2-36 )
Canterbury Country won by 125 runs
Full scorecard for the match