Rain and a tenacious eight-wicket stand by North Otago's tail enders robbed South Canterbury of a win in the Hawke Cup cricket elimination match at Oamaru at the weekend.

South Canterbury was left in a handy overnight position after having had first use of the wicket to score 311.

Two hours and a-half of play was lost yesterday as the result of showers, but in the 3 1/2 hours to play South Canterbury had bundled out eight North Otago batsmen for 85 runs, and M. Wheeler (43) and A. Cartwright (20), were at the wicket when the bails were lifted three minutes before time with the score at 136.

South Canterbury did not get away to a good start, losing the first wicket on 19. But the remainder of the order all added handy totals with the score being carried along to 199 for eight. Then W. Ritchie (64) and W. Taylor (33) became associated in a partnership that produced 104 runs.

This set South Canterbury up for victory. But overnight and morning rain prevented play from starting until 11.30 a.m.

R. Payne was the only early order batsman to show any confidence against the South Canterbury attack. It was left to the later order batsmen to mount a stubborn resistance after North Otago had lost seven for 44. R. Golden produced 20 and at stumps M. Wheeler and A. Cartwright were at the wicket with 43 and 20 respectively.

G. Ritchie had North Otago batsmen in trouble throughout and finished with six for 23 off 17 overs.

Short Scorecard(s)

Representative - Richards Trophy -

South Canterbury vs North Otago at Milner Park, Oamaru
South Canterbury 311 ( D. Bradley 67, W. Ritchie 64, W. Taylor 33no, J. Underdown 25, J. Underdown 25, G. Keown 20, L. Wallace 19, R. Hortin 15, B. Andrews 13, G. Ritchie 12, N.W. McKenzie 5-87, I. Pitches 3-64 )
North Otago 136-8 ( M. Wheeler 43no, R.S. Payne 39, R. Golden 20, A.G. Cartwright 20no, G. Ritchie 6-23 )
No result
Full scorecard for the match