North Otago will go through to their fourth Challenege, and first since 2002 after Otago Country missed out on first innings points against South Canterbury in the weekend.

Otago Country went into the match requiring just first innings points to draw level with North Otago and win the zone after an outright win against North Otago before christmas but fell short by just 7 runs.

South Canterbury won the toss and elected to bat recording a challenging 377 on the first day. Following his century against North Otago, Craig Davies brought up 129 and with opening partner Jeremy Liddy added 186 for the first wicket.

Otago Country started poorly and was in trouble but Brendon Dommigan and James Pyle combined for a good partnership before Pyle fell just short of a century scoring 96. When Fraser Wilson also fell in the 90s the signs started to become ominous. Late on the second day Cameron Rutherford was still fighting for the cause but was stranded on 58 as the last wicket fell.

North Otago will now wait for the result of the forthcoming match between the Hawke Cup holders Manawatu and Marlborough, playing the winner in a three day match starting on the 13th of March.