In its first defence of the Richards Trophy, the South Canterbury cricket representatives beat North Otago decisively at Fraser Park at the weekend. The holders, set on the road to success by an opening partnership of 137 between R. Farrant and R. Phillips scored 263 for six wickets declared in the first innings. Then N. Dellow, with the excellent bowling analysis of 13 wickets for 90 runs off 29 overs for the match, routed the visiting batsmen to give South Canterbury a win by an innings and 55 runs. He did the hat trick in North Otago's first innings.

Rain on Saturday caused two breaks in play, and stumps were drawn on the first day at 4.30 p..m. When the match opened the wicket was fairly fast, but it became slower when the rain came on. Yesterday it was slower but dead.

Dellow was getting a lot of lift from the wicket and most of the North Otago batsmen groped helplessly at his medium-fast bowling, giving chances to a close-set field which included seven men behind the wicket.

North Otago were fighting a losing battle after being dismissed for 130 in the first innings, and the side collapsed in the second innings for 78.

Most impressive of the North Otago attack were M. Collings, a medium-paced swing bowler, who took three for 79 off 28 overs, and the fast bowler M. Sandri, three for 62 off 29 overs.

North Otago's batting was not up to standard. In the first innings, I. Geddes (33) was easily the most impressive, playing some glorious hook shots and scoring most of his runs on the leg side. Later in the innings Sandri hit hard and often for 37, but there was not substance about the rest of the batting.

North Otago's second innings was a procession after Geddes was dismissed for 16, and the match finished before 5 o'clock. Dellow in his innings took seven wickets for 44, and Phillips also bowled well for three for 21.

Short Scorecard(s)

Representative - Hawke Cup - Zone Series

North Otago vs South Canterbury at Fraser Park, Timaru
South Canterbury 263 ( R. Farrant 77, R. Phillips 68, E. Edrich 37, E. McEwen 32, M. Jack 13no, F. Luke 13no, M.F. Sandri 3-62, M. Collings 3-79 )
North Otago 130 ( M.F. Sandri 37, I.T. Geddes 33, M. Gunn 18, P. Wright 12, A. Kelman 11, N. Dellow 6-46, Jack 2-22 ) & 78 ( K. Murray 16, I.T. Geddes 16, A. Kelman 13no, P. Wright 12, M. Gunn 11, N. Dellow 7-44, Phillips 3-21 )
South Canterbury won by an innings and 55 runs
Full scorecard for the match