Despite a brilliant second innings score of 251, North Otago succumbed by six wickets against Southland in Fuji Xerox zone cricket at Queen's Park, Invercargill, at the weekend.
North Otago lost the toss and was sent in on a green, hardish wicket in overcast conditions.
Southland's fiery bowling attack went straight to work and soon had North Otago reeling at 33 for three. Opener Stu Dean (13) stuck around for 75 balls in his 90 minutes at the crease and Gerry Cunningham managed five runs in 50 minutes, but the rest of the line-up could find little answer.
The removal of Paul Beare (0) and Cunningham come courtesy of Richard Wilson, brother of double All Black Jeff Wilson, who finished with the figures of three of 24 from 12.5 overs.
Duncan Drew (18) , Craig Wilson (15) and Neil Rushton (12) battled valiantly but at 77 for seven North Otago was already looking down the barrel.
At the onset of rain just before lunch North Otago declared at 83 for seven and play was abandoned for the day.
Yesterday dawned fine and at the captain's request play began early, despite a dump pitch caused by rain water leaking under the covers.
Southland had indicated it wanted to try for an outright win, in its bid to a get a challenge, should it win its next game against Ashburton. North Otago was "pleasantly surprised" when it declared at 55 for one, 28 runs behind North Otago's total, which effectively gave the visitors a first innings win.
"We had nothing to lose by setting Southland a good score and it gave us a good chance of winning outright too," North Otago coach Bruce Sewell said this morning.
A vastly improved second innings batting effort picked up North Otago's spirits. The right-handed Beare, making up for his first innings duck, played a brilliant innings of 98 before he was caught off Richard Wilson's bowling.
Beare played shots all around the ground during his 139-minute onslaught, striking 15 fours in a stunning batting display.
Beare and captain Mark Wilson put on a 113-run partnership for the fourth wicket to set up the side for a competitive score. A 73-run stand for the sixth wicket by Rushton and Craig Wilson kept the wheels rolling and North Otago finished with 251 for the loss of eight wickets, setting Southland 280 to win outright.
The southerners made a brilliant start, Carl McKenzie (65) and Greg Davis (66) putting on an opening stand of 142.
However, North Otago right-arm pacer Richard Sidon grabbed two quick wickets, removing Davis and captain Rodney Tait. Rushton ended a hasty 106-run partnership between Otago cricketers Michael Lamont and Paul Henry , as Drew snapped up a catch when Henry was on 52.
Southland continued on its blistering trail and overtook North Otago's score with six wickets in hand.
"I felt we really had the respect of the Southland public for the manner in which we played the game," Mr Sewell said. "If we could have got a couple more early wickets halfway through it could've been a very different story altogether."
Short Scorecard(s)
Representative - Fuji Xerox Cup - Zone Series
North Otago vs Southland at Queen's Park, Invercargill
North Otago 83 ( D.J. Drew 18, C. Wilson 15, S. Dean 13, N.W. Rushton 12, Wilson 3-24, K. Johnstone 2-21 ) & 251-8dec ( P. Beare 98, M. Wilson 43, C. Wilson 43, N.W. Rushton 30, D.J. Drew 16, K. Johnstone 2-30, Wilson 2-43 )
Southland 55-1dec ( C. McKenzie 27no, G. Davis 19 ) & 281-4 ( M. Lamont 67no, G. Davis 66, C. KcKenzie 65, P. Henry 52, N.W. Rushton 2-51, R. Sidon 2-93 )
Southland won by 6 wickets
Full scorecard for the match