Rain won out once again in the Cyclone Hawke Cup elimination match between Ashburton and North Otago which was played at Fairfield over the weekend.

The initial encounter between the two sides set down for December was also rained out without a ball being bowled. The teams were slightly luckier this weekend getting in a full days play before heavy rain on Saturday night and Sunday morning put paid to Ashburton's hopes of obtaining a result, for the home side needed an outright victory to have a chance of challenging Hawkes Bay for the trophy.

Ian Pitches won the toss for North Otago and put Ashburton in to bat on a dampish pitch. At lunch the game was leaning North Otago's way with Ashburton struggling at 62 for the loss of five wickets. However in the second session of play Warren Eddington raised Ashburton's hopes with a grand knock of 91 getting solid support from Geoff Wright with 33 enabling Ashburton to get through to 213 shortly before stumps.

The best of the North Otago bowlers was Neville Donaldson with three for 39. Trevor Robertson two for 49, Peter Crombie one for 20, Ian Chapman ne for 55 and Chris Taylor one for 23.

At stumps North Otago were 28 without loss with Phil Collings on 15 and Bruce McGregor on 10.

Then came the rain.

Short Scorecard(s)

Representative - Cyclone Hawke Cup - Zone Series

North Otago vs Ashburton County at Fairton Cricket Ground, Ashbburton
Ashburton County 213 ( W. Eddington 91, G. Wright 33, J. Spicer 20, D. Mably 19, M. Holmes 18, P. Burton 14, N. Donaldson 3-39, T. Roberson 2-49 )
North Otago 28-0 ( P. Collings 15no )
No Result
Full scorecard for the match