Mark Wilson

North Otago "couldn't put a foot wrong" as they inflicted a rare five wicket defeat on Central Otago at Centennial Park yesterday, player-coach Keith Gardner said today.

The victory was North Otago's first outright win in approximately six years.

North Otago leapfrogged Dunedin Metropolitan into second place in the Fuji Xerox zone six competition when they beat the defending champions with eight overs to spare, in the final hour of play.

Gardner said that in some respects the team surprised themselves.

"No-one seemed to know how to react. You can't really describe it. I think North Otago have always known how to play cricket and we've gone out with the right plan, but we've been a bit nervous and haven't been able to pull it off.

"David Sewell made a difference on the first morning. We got right into their top order and took four wickets in the first session and put them under real pressure," he said.

North Otago faces Dunedin Metropolitan in Oamaru on Saturday, a team scattered with Otago and Otago B faces. Gardner said yesterday's result is likely to have an effect on the next performance.

"I can't predict what's going to happen but we can plan to do well knowing we can achieve it. It's no longer talk," he said.

Gardner mentioned Gerry Ward, who twice reached the half century mark, Jason Mavor, who batted with confidence and aggression in the final session, Mark Wilson and Jeff Grubb in praising North Otago's batting performance.

Short Scorecard(s)

Representative - Fuji Xerox Cup - Zone Series

Central Otago vs North Otago at Centennial Park Oval, Oamaru
Central Otago 197 ( R. Kottkamp 48no, B. Hart 40, G. Sinclair 26, D.G. Sewell 5-59, K. Gardiner 2-4, N.W. Rushton 2-44 ) & 261 ( L. Breen 42, T. Kitto 40, A. Flannery 36, S. Old 34, R. Hooks 33, B. Hart 25, R. Kottkamp 15, K. Gardiner 6-94, D.G. Sewell 3-39 )
North Otago 325-9dec ( K. Gardiner 67, D.J. Drew 53, G. Ward 51, K.J. Mansfield 44no, P.D. Bleach 21, J. Grubb 18, M. Wilson 13, N.W. Rushton 12, Old 3-97, Sinclair 2-59, Hooks 2-66 ) & 137-5 ( G. Ward 57, J. Mavor 32, K. Gardiner 25, M. Wilson 11, Harvey 2-43 )
North Otago won by 5 wickets
Full scorecard for the match

Player Pages:
Keith Gardner | Jeffery Grubb | Jason Mavor | Gerald Ward | Mark Wilson |