After conceding only four runs on the first innings, North Otago lost its senior representative cricket match against Ashburton played over the weekend at Ashburton by five wickets.

Winning the toss, North Otago batted first and amassed 155.

Only three batsmen were able to score 20. Openers Bob Wilson and Michael Ross, who was playing his first match at this level, managed to get the team off to a good beginning by scoring a first wicket partnership of 53 before Wilson was out for 21.

From 53 for one, North Otago stumbled to 89 for five, with Ross surrendering his wicket at 81 after scoring a well complied 52.

In his first outing for the senior team Ross displayed a great deal of application. He was at the crease for 147 minutes in which time he hit two sixes and four fours.

Batting at number six, Union captain, Bob Bowman, saw the score through to 122 before he was the seventh batsman out with his personal total standing at 26.

Lower order batsman, Colin Smart, played a typical captain's innings with 17 not out, and saw his team through to a modest total of 155.

Bowling for Ashburton, M Hooper collected three wickets for 18 off 21 overs, 11 of which were maidens. M. Sampson took three for 69 off 30 overs.

Ashburton finished the day at 118 for five after commencing its innings at 4.05 on Saturday afternoon.

Sunday morning witnessed the remaining five wickets add a paltry 41 runs. Ashburton although, batting little better than North Otago, had gained a meagre first innings lead of four runs.

For North Otago, C. Smart and left arm spinner, Chris Taylor, between them bowled 81 overs. Taylor bowled a massive 43 overs to take four for 41. Twenty two of his overs were maidens.

North Otago began its second innings at 2.26 on Sunday afternoon and it was all out for 96 two hours and 14 minutes later. Three batsmen were able to reach double figures with Norm McKenzie scoring 18, Peter Bee 29 and Gobie Johnston 13.

Left 75 minutes to score 93 for victory, Ashburton had no difficultly and passed the total for the loss of five wickets.

Short Scorecard(s)

Representative - Hawke Cup - Zone Series

North Otago vs Ashburton County at Ashburton Domain Oval, Ashburton
North Otago 155 ( M. Ross 52, R. Bowman 26, R.S. Wilson 21, C. Smart 17no, P. Cook 11, Hooper 3-18, Sampson 3-69, Davidson 2-32 ) & 96 ( P. Bee 20, N.W. McKenzie 18, G. Johnson 13, Holmes 3-18, Hooper 3-30, Davidson 2-11, Sampson 2-25 )
Ashburton County 159 ( P. Burton 41, M. Sampson 31, A. Williams 14, P. Thomas 13, W. Smith 12, C. Taylor 4-41, C. Smart 3-34 ) & 93-5 ( S. Girven 31no, A. Williams 28, M. Sampson 18, P. Burton 12, C. Taylor 2-22, P. Bee 2-33 )
Ashburton County won by 5 wickets
Full scorecard for the match