North Otago had a comfortable 10-wicket win over Central Otago in a Hawke Cup elimination match at Oamaru at the weekend and earned the right to play South Canterbury in a further knockout match later.

At the end of the first day the match was even, with North Otago, five for 86, chasing Central's 133. Responsible strikes by Graeme Dawe and Chris Wheeler in a partnership of 58 sealed the first innings result for North Otago, with Chris Taylor making an effective 34 to give North Otago a lead of 64.

Only Buttar, Barrie and McKnight made worthwhile contributions in Central's first innings score. Generally the steadiness and accuracy of the North Otago attack prevented Central's batsmen from getting on top.

Bowling in the first innings for North Otago Hamish Munro had a sterling two hour stretch into a strong northerly. He was well support by Bob Mason and to a lesser extent by Tony Cartwright.

But bowling honours in the series went to Mason, who finished with nine for 71 off 33 overs, claiming three for 39 in the first and six for 32 in the second.

North Otago lost Bob Wilson early, but the other opener, Stuart Blakely, played a responsible innings with useful contributions being made by John Wright and Norm McKenzie. Resuming on the second day Dawe and Wheeler found runs hard to score. Slowly they managed the required the runs to give North Otago the first innings lead.

It was left to Taylor, with a sound 34, to give North Otago a useful lead.

There was a sensational start to Central's second innings with three wickets falling in the first two overs without any runs being scored. From then on there was only token resistance by McKnight and McSkimming and Central was all out for 49, leaving North Otago six runs for an outright win. This was achieved without loss.

Short Scorecard(s)

Representative - Hawke Cup - Zone Series

Central Otago vs North Otago at Awamoa Park, Oamaru
Central Otago 133 ( S.G. McKnight 24, C.W. Buttar 22, J. Barrie 19, A.J. McHutcheon 18, N. Hore 17, C. Taylor 3-25, R.J. Mason 3-39, H. Munroe 3-47 ) & 69 ( S. McSkimming 20, S.G. McKnight 13, R.J. Mason 6-32, C. Taylor 2-12 )
North Otago 197 ( M. Wheeler 34, C. Taylor 34, S.J. Blakely 30, G. Dawe 24, J.F. Wright 16, G. Johnson 16, N.W. McKenzie 15, R.J. Mason 12, P.J. Petherick 5-82, Alabaster 3-49 ) & 7-0 ( )
North Otago won by 10 wickets
Full scorecard for the match