Thanks to C. Price's magnificent effort of 143 Ashburton was in very healthy position for an outright win at the end of the first days play in the vital Hawke Cup elimination representative cricket match against North Otago played at the Ashburton Domain Oval yesterday on an easy paced wicket and in ideal conditions.
In its first innings the Ashburton team made 264 runs and in reply North Otago only had 48 for the loss of five wickets at stumps.
Ashburton batted first but started rather shakily with the loss of two valuable wickets in the first 75 minutes for only 48 runs. However, a third wicket stand by opening batsman G. Wainscott and Price restored Ashburton's fortunes, taking the score along to 97 before Wainscott was bowled by K. Ellis for 35.
Price continued his innings, effortlessly slashing the bowling to pieces until he was caught by J. White with his total at 143 after being at the wicket for almost five hours. His score included 20 fours.
North Otago bowlers did not have a great deal of luck, the best of them being R. Paul, three for 26, M. Sandri three for 66, and K. Ellis two for 48.
The North Otago first innings started on a sad note with opening batsman J. Brown being bowled with the score at four. Nevertheless this was not to be the end of North Otago's misfortunes for at the end of three-quarter of an hour's play they were five wickets down for 33 runs. Top scorer was White with 14.
At stumps with the score at 48 for the loss of five wickets, B. Papps (3) and V. Ellis (8) were not out but were definitely experiencing much difficulty with the tricky attack of Ashburton bowlers R. Millichamp (three for 9) and G. McCromick (two for 32).
Short Scorecard(s)
Representative - Hawke Cup -
North Otago vs Ashburton County at Ashburton Domain Oval, Ashburton
North Otago 116 ( R. Paul 21, K. Ellis 17, J.S. White 14, W. Lee 12no, Millichamp 4-29, McCormick 3-45, Price 2-15 ) & 205 ( J.S. White 51, B.R. Papps 35, W.B. Kerr 25, K. Ellis 20, J.C. Brown 19, R. Paul 14, Wainscott 5-39, Price 3-40 )
Ashburton County 264 ( C. Price 143, G. Wainscott 35, R. Hortin 33, E.M. Flaherty 20, R. Paul 3-26, M.F. Sandri 3-66, K. Ellis 2-49 ) & 65-2 ( D. Smith 25, G. Wainscott 19, K. Ellis 2-19 )
Ashburton County won by 8 wickets
Full scorecard for the match