After holding an initial batting advantage, North Otago wilted against the accurate spin attack of North Canterbury in a Hawke Cup elimination match played on Milner Park over the weekend.

North Canterbury compiled a massive 368 for nine declared to win on the first innings.

North Otago batted first and held out strongly against a strong North Canterbury pace attack to be two down for 143.

Openers Payne (45) and Wilson (57) initiated a good partnership, but the North Canterbury spin attack of Heslop, Rapley and Sowden wreaked havoc amongst the North Otago middle order batsmen.

Bowman added 13, Papps 20 and the lower order men, Cartwright not out 22 and Cubitt 18 stemmed the tide before North Otago was all out for 198.

Bowling for North Canterbury, Heslop took two wickets for 52, Sowden two for 32 and Rapley two for 42.

Sent in to bat, North Canterbury complied 368 for nine wickets declared on the first innings. The side was struggling initially at 39 for three, but dropped catches saw the advantage lost to North Otago.

Sowden led the scoring spree with a fine 98 before being bowled by Shea, Rutherford not out 66, Newton 57, Elder 45 and Blakely 24. The side batted strongly to the last man.

Shea was the most successful bowler for North Otago taking three wickets for 71.

Sent in to bat a second time, North Otago was 92 for two wickets at the close (Payne 38, Bowman not out 27).

Short Scorecard(s)

Representative - Hawke Cup - Zone Series

North Canterbury vs North Otago at Milner Park, Oamaru
North Otago 198 ( R.S. Wilson 57, R.S. Payne 45, A.G. Cartwright 22no, B.R. Papps 20, W. Cubbit 18, R. Bowman 13, Heslop 6-52, Sowden 2-32, Rapley 2-44 ) & 92-2 ( R.S. Payne 38, R. Bowman 27no, R.S. Wilson 15 )
North Canterbury 368-9dec ( R. Sowden 98, P.R. Rutherford 66no, R. Newton 57, L. Eder 45, S.J. Blakely 24, W. Newton 19, A.F. Rapley 18, C. Heslop 13no, J.L. Shea 3-71 )
First innings win to North Canterbury
Full scorecard for the match