The North Otago senior cricket side lost to Central Otago by an innings and 56 runs in Alexandra over the weekend.

Central set a massive 328 all out in their first innings, with wicket keeper James Pyle making a century, before being caught out for 104 runs.

Richard Snell took seven wickets for 71 off 23 overs for North Otago and was the pick of their bowlers, while Tom Cullen snared two for 37 overs and Gavin Strachan chipped in with one from 12 overs.

North Otago was 73 for three at stumps at the end of the first day's play.

Next morning captain Mark Patterson scored another 59 runs and Guy Metcalf 22, but when they were dismissed the rest of the innings fell to pieces and North Otago stumbled to 157 runs all out.

Central enforced the follow on giving North Otago a 175-run target. But they were bowled out for just 115 runs.

Scott Simpson offered the only resistance to Central's bowling attack making 53.

Graham Cessford was the best bowler in the first innings for Central with figures of three wickets for 38 runs and Simon Harper took six for 27 off 12 overs.

Assistant coach Glynn Cameron, who was in charge at the weekend, said his side had been given " a lesson on how to play Hawke Cup cricket".

He said Central had " a but of experience" and was looking forward to playing at home this week against Otago Country.

"We've just got to learn to play two cricket instead of one."

Short Scorecard(s)

Representative - Districts One Day Series - Round 1

North Otago vs Central Otago at Dunstan High School No 1, Alexandra
North Otago 134 ( C.M. Smith 27, B. Cooper 19, T. Cullen 17, Ritchie 2-16, B. Domigan 2-18, Cessford 2-22, Lovelock 2-23 )
Central Otago 136-9 ( J. Domigan 32, T. Wilson 22, N. Harvey 17, C. Nicolson 16, C.M. Smith 3-21, M. Walding 3-25, G. Strachan 2-37 )
Central Otago won by 1 wicket
Full scorecard for the match