North Otago came agonisingly close to a second innings win in their Hawke Cup cricket match against Central Otago at Centennial Park at the weekend.

After losing the first innings by 92 runs, North Otago held Central to just 105 all out in their second turn at bat and looked like taking the second innings points, but fell short by 10 runs with 96.

The home side started the match well and had Central at 30 for three at one stage, but tail-ender Eric Stanfield lead the visitors to 173 all out with a gallant 48 not out.

Cory Blair and Brendan Domigan were the next best batters for the visitors with 22 and 21 respectively.

North Otago's Gavin Strachan has been consistent with his bowling this season and took five for 41 off his 15 overs. Richard Snell chipped in with two for 24.

North Otago took the crease, not helped by a shaky start from both openers who were dismissed for one run each.

Schoolboy Blair Cooper was the only bright light in the spell, top scoring with 27 runs, and Snell got 14. The team was all out for a disappointing 81.

Central's bowling duo of Stansfield and Graeme Cessford were in devastating form, taking five wickets each, Cessford for 16 runs, and including five maiden overs, and Stanfield for 36 run, and including six maidens.

The second innings saw Central bowled out for 105 runs, Domigan made a strong contribution to his team's total with his 44 runs.

North Otago bowler Craig Smith took three wickets for 17 from 13 overs and Snell grabbed three for 13 off nine overs. Paul Odell and James Lovelock took a pair of wickets each.

North Otago then needed 106 runs for the second innings win, but only managed 96 all out.

Opener Matt George was out for a duck and rest of the order failed to get into double figures apart from the middle order of Mark Patterson (30) and Guy Metcalf (25).

At 80 for seven, the home side failed to reach the target within their last few wickets. With rain threatening they may have rushed a little.

Again Cessford and Stanfield were instrumental in dismantling the order, Stansfield took four wickets and Cessford three. John Lovelock took the other three wickets.

Short Scorecard(s)

Representative - Hawke Cup - Zone Series

Central Otago vs North Otago at Centennial Park Oval, Oamaru
Central Otago 173 ( E. Standfield 48no, C. Blair 22, B. Domigan 21, S. Harper 13, C. Nicolson 12, G. Strachan 5-41, R. Snell 2-24 )North Otago 81 ( B. Cooper 27, R. Snell 14, Cessford 5-16, Standfield 5-36 ) & 96 ( M. Patterson 30, G. Metcalf 25, Standfield 4-29, Cessford 3-23, Lovelock 3-36 ) & 105 ( B. Domigan 44, T. Wilson 14, J. Pyle 11, R. Snell 3-13, C.M. Smith 3-17, P.M. Odell 2-25, J.H. Lovelock 2-25 )
Central Otago won by 101 runs
Full scorecard for the match

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