All-rounder Grant Billcliff made a big impression in his debut was unable to prevent North Otago losing to Canterbury Country by two wickets in the two-day cricket match in Rangiora at the weekend.
Billcliff, not employed by the North Otago Cricket Association, had innings of 81 and 27 and took a five-wicket bag at Dudley Park.
His heroics were the highlight of the game for North Otago, forced to approach it with a severely depleted team, could have won.
Canterbury Country eventually sneaked home with two wickets to spare chasing 174 to win yesterday.
"In the end we didn't score enough runs in the first innings and that made the difference," North Otago captain Mark Wilson said today. "But I'm pretty happy with our effort. A couple of the young guys have really put their hands up to be selected again and Grant Billcliff stepped up brilliantly,"
North Otago were without the Albion trio of Ryan de Joux, Jason Jones and Chris Cunningham, who pulled out on Friday because of work commitments.
Their late withdrawal was disappointing, Wilson said, and their selection for future matches could not be guaranteed.
"We were gutted to lose those three because they were key players, but at the same time we were stoked with the performance and the attitude of the guys who came in at the last minute," Wilson said.
North Otago batted first in Rangiora and lost early wickets before Billcliff and St Kevin's batsman Daniel Gard out on 44 for the fifth wicket. Gard's 23 was the only other score in double figures and Billcliff was the ninth batsman to be dismissed, having faced 126 balls for his 81. He hit 10 boundaries.
Canterbury Country, chasing 145, found batting relatively easy and declared 13 runs ahead.
North Otago fared slightly better in their second innings, with Duncan Drew (22), Billcliff (27) and Robbie Duncan (20 not out) all making valuable contributions.
Young Union bowler Phil Crossan showed his abilities with the bat, slugging 41 of 35 balls with five fours and one six to help North Otago to 186.
Billcliff and regular wicketkeeper Duncan Drew shared eight wickets in Canterbury Country's second innings but opener Peter Fulton (74) and Brad Doody (14 not out) ensured the home side reached the total in the final over.
Short Scorecard(s)
Representative - Friendly -
North Otago vs Canterbury Country at Dudley Park, Rangiora
North Otago 145 ( G.J. Billcliff 81, D.C. Gard 23, Barclay 4-25, George 2-17 ) & 186 ( P. Crossan 41, G.J. Billcliff 27, D.J. Drew 22, R. Duncan 20no, M. Aker 17, M. Wilson 16, D.C. Gard 16, Murphy 4-26, Barclay 3-46, Chatterton 2-62 )
Canterbury Country 158-2dec ( B. Doody 83, H. James 47, P. Fulton 14no, D.J. Drew 2-33 ) & 177-8 ( P. Fulton 74, G. Lewis 29, P. Rugg 27, B. Doody 14no, G.J. Billcliff 5-50, D.J. Drew 3-35 )
Canterbury Country won by 2 wickets
Full scorecard for the match