Union upper order batsmen Lindsay Robertson continued his fine form with the bat when he guided North Otago to a 57 run win over Otago Metropolitan XI at Centennial Park yesterday in a limited over fixture.

Otago won the toss and put the local side in on a pitch which although it produced a mawkish bounce was consistent in its response and batsmen could play with confidence on the front foot.

Opener Phil Collings went with the total at 13 when he was clean bowled by Gary Early for 7.

Bruce McGregor and Robertson added 30 runs for the second wicket before McGregor was brilliantly caught and bowled by Derek Walker with Walker picking up the catch as he dived to his left on his follow through after McGregor had hit firmly on the off side.

Peter Cook whose batting form has been impressive this season joined the confident Robertson and duo added 92 for the third wicket before McGregor was nicely taken by Allan Bligh for 30 when he got a thick outside edge and lofted the ball high in the air.

Robertson lasted only a further two runs before Paul Facoonry took a fine catch at mid-off to give to Derek Walker his third wicket. Graeme Johnson maintained the momentum with 18 before the 50 overs were completed with North Otago 196 for 9.

Neville Donaldson opening the innings in the absence of Peter Crombie stuck on the first ball of the first over, the second of the match when he cleaned bowled Stu McCullum for a duck.

Garth Gallaway followed with the total at 19 and Otago never really recovered from the disastrous start and against reasonably tight bowling and fielding.

Facoory played a disciplined innings of 35 but when his wicket fell, the fifth at 65 the writing was on the wall for the Metropolitan XI. John Banbury added 12 before he went at 74 and Rhys Cain was the seventh to go nine runs short of the century.

Paul Conway fought a fine rear guard action before he was the last batsman to go top scoring with Facoory

Surprise packet of the North Otago bowling attack was Bruce McGregor who was called into the attack when Peter Cook was forced to leave the field with an injured knee proceeded to take 4 for 23 with his whippy deliveries.

Medium paceman Ian Chapman and Neville Donaldson took two wickets each.