An unbeaten century by Richard Hoskin gave Central Otago the edge and a first innings win against North Otago in a Fuji-Xerox elimination cricket game played at Centennial Park in the weekend.
Hoskin provided the backbone of Central Otago's first innings scoring 159 not out as his team reached 320 for six declared in reply to North Otago's total of 165.
The former Otago player made the most of his luck after being dropped before scoring and again in the 20s to bat 263 minutes and face 247 balls in his match-winning innings. Hoskin received solid support from Mike Foster as the pair put on 93 runs for the fifth wicket before Foster was dismissed for 52.
Earlier, Paddy Bleach responded to the challenge of being promoted in the order to top score with 58 in North Otago's first innings.
Bleach batted for 186 minutes and faced 150 balls in his innings after coming to the crease when North Otago lost its first wicket with one run on the board.
Neil Rushton was the only other North Otago batsman to produce a substantial innings scoring 39 before mis-timing a drive and being caught at mid-off by Trevor Kitto off the bowling of Foster.
North Otago batted steadily in its second innings reaching 126 for five when the rain started falling and play was abandoned.
Mark Wilson returned to form with a classy knock of 61 not out while 17-year-old Aaron Dawe continued to impress scoring 32.
Right arm off spinner Grant Soper picked up two wickets to go with his first innings figures of three for 39. Medium pacer Foster also impressed taking three for 34 in the first innings and one for four in the second innings.
"We were beaten by a very good side," North Otago coach Bruce Sewell said. "It was a much better batting effort - no one threw their wicket away although we would have liked another 80-100 runs."
Mr Sewell praised Bleach for his application after being asked to bat at number three and was also encouraged by the form of Dawe, Rushton and Wilson.
He identified Hoskins innings as the turning point in the game saying his innings was a "polished display" despite being dropped twice.
"We had them at 116 for four at one stage then Hoskin got going. He was definitely the difference between the two sides," Mr Sewell said.
North Otago's next Fuji-Xerox game I against Southland at Centennial Park on January 13-14.
Short Scorecard(s)
Representative - Fuji Xerox Cup - Zone Series
Central Otago vs North Otago at Centennial Park Oval, Oamaru
North Otago 165 ( P.D. Bleach 58, N.W. Rushton 39, M. Wilson 18, J. Mavor 18, A. Dawe 12, Foster 3-34, Soper 3-39, O'Connor 2-48 ) & 126-5 ( M. Wilson 61no, A. Dawe 32, S. Dean 14, Kotkamp 2-23, Soper 2-40 )
Central Otago 320-6dec ( R.N. Hoskin 159no, M. Folster 52, S.B. O'Connor 38no, G. Blakely 25, S. Hinton 16, L. Breen 12, J.B. Crombie 3-107, N.W. Rushton 2-65 )
First innings win to Central Otago
Full scorecard for the match