A representative cricket match between the Hawke Cup holders, Southland, and North Otago, played over two days at Awamoa Park at the weekend ended in a draw.

A feature of the game was the stubborn stand by North Otago batsmen in the second innings when they scored 234 runs for four wickets.

North Otago batted first and could only master 57 runs, with only R. Wilson and A. Cartwright scoring double figures.

Chief wicket-takers for Southland were J Mahoney three for 10, Ashby three for 13 and N. Nicholson two for 15.

Southland took the opportunity to give its batsmen practice for the forthcoming Cup challenge by Central Otago.

The side made 228 for nine of 73 overs declared, with K. O'Connor 30, Thompson 49, L. Holland's 49, Nicholson 28,, R. Cardno 23, G. Murdock 16.

Veteran bowler A. Cartwright was the most successful North Otago bowler taking six wickets for 55 runs. This was particularly good spell of bowling by Cartwright who bowled 28 overs, 13 of which were maidens.

N. McKenzie bowled 13 overs including one wicket for 50 runs, while W. Melvin bowled 12 overs for one for 48 and L. Shea 10 overs for one wicket for 28.

In its second innings North Otago got away to a good start with a 92 partnership between R. Payne and R. Wilson before Payne was caught and bowled for 52 runs. Wilson was the next to go with the score at 135, Wilson's personal tally of 54.

J. Wright and R. Bowman took the score along to 173 before Wright was stumped when on 32. Bowman and McKenzie carried on and R. Bowman was out for 42. At stumps McKenzie was 29 not out and I. Geddes was 7 not out.

Wickets were evenly distributed with J. Mahoney one for 41, G. Murdock one for 47, R. Cardno one for 26 and Crombie one for 12 sharing the honours.

Short Scorecard(s)

Representative - Hawke Cup - Zone Series

Southland vs North Otago at Awamoa Park, Oamaru
North Otago 57 ( R.S. Wilson 13, A.G. Cartwright 12no, J.F. Wright 11, Mahoney 3-10, Ashby 3-13, Nicholson 2-15 ) & 234-4 ( R.S. Wilson 54, R.S. Payne 52, R. Bowman 42, J.F. Wright 32, N.W. McKenzie 29no )
Southland 229-9dec ( N.R. Thompson 49, L.D. Hollands 49, K.J. O'Connor 30, W. Wilson 28, R. Cardno 23no, G. Murdoch 16, A.G. Cartwright 6-55 )
First innings win to Southland
Full scorecard for the match