After a tense final session of play yesterday Ashburton gained victory by a margin of seven runs over North Otago in their annual two-day fixture played in Ashburton at the weekend.

Earlier, it has seemed that North Otago, trailing on the first inning and with six wickets down for 78 in the second -still 104 short of victory- would try and settle for a draw but C. Taylor with the top score of the match and with good support from partners, took his team to a situation where a victory was in sight.

The match was more notable for bowling successes than for those of the batsmen.

North Otago won the toss on Saturday, and on a wicket damp early from overnight rain, sent Ashburton in to bat. After a half-century opening stand Ashburton was quickly in difficulties with three wickets falling with the total at 56.

Four more fell in the 70s, for Ashburton to be 78 for seven. Only a last wicket stand of 48 by B.C. Sampson, with 26, and D. Livesey, 20 not out, added some substance to the total.

Twice in the innings A. Cartwright was sitting on a hat trick with tow wickets with successive balls, and he finished with six wickets for 35. R. Mason took 4/50.

North Otago fared no better, however, and five batsmen failed to score. AT one stage half the team had been dismissed, for 22, and seven wickets were down for 29. Tail-enders came to the rescue.

For Ashburton B.C. Sampson took 5/21 and B.V. Sampson 4/33.

Ashburton resumed its second innings at the start of play yesterday at seven without loss, and its innings closed at 2.10 p.m.

North Otago was left 182 to win in 230 minutes.

It slipped behind the clock but Taylor took his team to a near winning situation, before the final breakthrough by Ashburton.

The umpires were Messrs F. Sullivan and B. Ballard.

Short Scorecard(s)

Representative - Hawke Cup - Zone Series

North Otago vs Ashburton County at Ashburton Domain Oval, Ashburton
Ashburton County 135 ( D.J. Isherwood 31, B.C. Sampson 26, R. Beaven 24, D.W. Livesey 20no, A.G. Cartwright 6-35, R.J. Mason 4-50 ) & 143 ( D.J. Isherwood 56, N.A. Goodwin 22, B.C. Sampson 22, R. Beaven 13, A.G. Cartwright 5-32, H. Munroe 3-52, N.W. McKenzie 2-19 )
North Otago 97 ( C. Taylor 36no, R.J. Mason 25, S.J. Blakely 15, B.C. Sampson 5-21, B.V. Sampson 4-33 ) & 176 ( C. Taylor 76no, T. Roberson 20, R.S. Wilson 13, B.V. Sampson 6-62, B.C. Sampson 2-39 )
Ashburton County won by 5 runs
Full scorecard for the match