North Otago defeated Mid Canterbury outright by 168 runs in the weekend. Mind Canterbury won the toss and put North Otago in to bat on the new Whitestone stadium block which had a greenish tinge. Mid Canterbury dominated early on taking the early wickets of Dallas Mahuika(2), Thomas Shield(5), Craig Smith(3) and Duncan Drew(5) to have North Otago staggering at twenty six for four. Francois Mostert(23) and Nathan Smith(31) then produced a fifth wicket fifty run stand to lift the home side to 76 for five before Mostert departed. Smith went one run later to see North Otago, seventy seven for six before Regan George(41) batting freely guided his side through to 137 before the final wicket fell. Mid Canterbury captain Bevan Ravenscroft took three for 28 while James South by, Jason Morrison and Tom Meyrick took two wickets each.

James Southby(24) and Robbie Polson(37) gave Mid Canterbury an encouraging start with a forty nine run opening stand but only Robbie Cockburn(17), Des Kruger(11) ,Tom Meyrick(1 not out) and Ravenscroft(5) troubled the scorers as Mid Canterbury collapsed sensationally with the last seven wickets producing only twelve runs as Mid Canterbury slumped to be all out for 101.Craig Smith took five for 32 and Mostert off four overs, two of which were maidens, claimed four for eight.

The cricket virus affecting Mid Canterbury struck North Otago late in the day as Dallas Mahuika, Thomas Shields and Craig Smith tumbled to have the home side, three for three and the demise of Duncan Drew with the total at twenty followed by Nathan Smith at twenty nine. In fact at one stage the last seven Mid Canterbury wickets and the first three wickets in North Otago's second innings had produced just fifteen runs. At stumps on day one North Otago had a lead of eighty five with five wickets in hand with Mostert(16 not out) and George(12 not out) carry North Otago's hopes into the second day. Mostert and George produced a sixth wicket stand of fifty before George was dismissed for 29 giving North Otago a lead of 115 runs with four wickets in hand.

At lunch on the second day North Otago was 184 for nine with Mostert on 95 and Brad Fleming on 11. This pair had produced a forty four run tenth wicket stand at lunch. Mostert brought up his century shortly after lunch the pair adding a further 26 runs before Mostert was dismissed for 107 leaving Mid Canterbury the task of scoring 247 runs in fifty one overs. Mostert's century came on top of an unbeaten 144 against South Canterbury. At tea Mid Canterbury was 40 for six. The remaining six wickets fell for the addition of only 38 runs with Craig Smith claiming four for 23 to add to his five for 32 in the first innings.

Short Scorecard(s)

Representative - Hawke Cup - Zone Series

Mid Canterbury vs North Otago at Centennial Park Oval, Oamaru
North Otago 137 ( R.J. George 41, N.G. Smith 31, F. Mostert 23, B. Ravenscroft 3-28, T.A. Meyrick 2-8, J.M. Southby 2-23, J.T. Morrison 2-44 ) & 210 ( F. Mostert 107, R.J. George 29, B.J. Fleming 19no, B.G. James 13, B. Ravenscroft 3-44, J.M. Southby 3-44, T.A. Meyrick 2-19 )
Mid Canterbury 101 ( R.A. Polson 37, J.M. Southby 24, R.N. Cockburn 17, D. Kruger 11, C.M. Smith 5-32, F. Mostert 4-8 ) & 78 ( B.C.J. Houston 19, T.A. Meyrick 15, R.A. Polson 12, C.M. Smith 4-23, N.G. Smith 2-10, F. Mostert 2-11, B.J. Fleming 2-21 )
North Otago by 168 runs
Full scorecard for the match

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North Otago 2016-2017 |