By beating North Otago by a narrow margin of two runs on the first innings, Mid-Canterbury has won the right to challenge Southland for the Hawke Cup next season.
On the last day of the match on the Ashburton Domain yesterday, Mid-Canterbury seemed to have the game well in hand, but a collapse of the middle order batsmen left the result to be decided on the first innings.
North Otago scored a respectable 178 in the first innings, with N. McKenzie compiled a good 53 and B. Papps 48. A middle order collapse kept the score down. At one stage North Otago was four 151, but lost three wickets at this mark and another with only 156 runs on the board.
The Mid-Canterbury middle order batsmen were also in trouble against a strong North Otago attack.
The side was three for 144 and six down for 158.
Tutty made the top score with 40.
Mid Canterbury still needed three runs to take a lead on the first innings when the last man went into the crease, but the last pair managed to pass North Otago's score by two runs for a total of 180.
North Otago batted again and declared at four for 96, leaving Mid Canterbury seven overs in which to score 95 runs. At the close of play the side was four down for 39.
B. Sampson was the most successful of the Mid-Canterbury bowlers, taking three wickets for 27 runs on the second innings and three for 48 in the first.
Bowling for North Otago, Kennard took five wickets for 27 and McKenzie three for 32 in the first innings; in the second innings, Murray took two for five.
Short Scorecard(s)
Representative - Richards Trophy -
North Otago vs Ashburton County at Ashburton Domain Oval, Ashburton
North Otago 178 ( N.W. McKenzie 53, B.R. Papps 48, A.E. Berry 15, I.T. Geddes 13, White 4-45, B.C. Sampson 3-48, B.V. Sampson 2-16 ) & 96-4dec ( R. Golden 32, K. Murray 25no, M. Wheeler 17no, B.R. Papps 14, B.C. Sampson 3-37 )
Ashburton County 180 ( B.E. Tutty 40, B.V. Sampson 36, I.D.P. Hamilton 26, I.G. Lane 18, O.D. Bruce 14, M. Kennard 5-27, N.W. McKenzie 3-32, A.G. Cartwright 2-59 ) & 39-4 ( G.M. Wall 13, W.J. Bell 11, K. Murray 2-5 )
First innings win to Ashburton County
Full scorecard for the match