South Canterbury failed to clinch an outright victory over North Otago in a representative cricket match at Ashbury Park at the weekend, but was conclusively the better side.

Highlights of the match were the fine batting of several South Canterbury players and some good bowling, particularly form I. Taylor, who had match figures of six for 67, including four for 50 in North Otago's second innings.

South Canterbury had a strong grip on the match at the end of the first day when it had dismissed North Otago for 164 and had reached 160 for two at stumps.

With D. Bishop in superb form yesterday morning, South Canterbury piled on a big score. Bishop reached 92 before throwing his wicket away with a rash shot, ending a partnership with C. Aitken (63) of 124 for the fifth wicket.

The foundation for a good innings was set by B. Andrews (29) and D. Bradley, who put on 69, and then Bradley and R. Murdoch, playing his first match for South Canterbury, added a further 68 in even time for the second wicket.

Bradley went on to reach 70 yesterday morning. Later in the list Taylor hit out strongly to score 30 with six boundary shots.

North Otago showed stiffer resistance in the second innings and was finally all out for 229 a few minutes before 6 p.m. R. Bowman (50) and R. Wilson (32) started the innings well.

Then South Canterbury broke through and at 116 for seven South Canterbury was in a strong position. But A Cartwright (53), W Cubbitt (37) and R. Mason (23 not out) saved the day.

The umpires were Messrs J.F.T. Bull and E. Aitcheson.

Short Scorecard(s)

Representative - Hawke Cup - Zone Series

North Otago vs South Canterbury at Ashbury, Timaru
North Otago 164 ( I.T. Geddes 25, R. Bowman 22, N.W. McKenzie 22, A.G. Cartwright 22, R.S. Wilson 18, J. Anderson 14, R.S. Payne 11, I. Taylor 2-8, G. Ritchie 2-26, Galwey 2-57 ) & 229 ( A.G. Cartwright 53, R. Bowman 50, W. Cubbit 37, R.S. Wilson 32, R.J. Mason 23no, I. Taylor 4-59, Galwey 2-35, Ward 2-93 )
South Canterbury 347-8dec ( D. Bishop 92, D. Bradley 70, C. Aitken 63, R. Murdock 30, I. Taylor 30, B. Andrews 29, J. Ward 13no, A.G. Cartwright 3-62, R.J. Mason 2-64, J.L. Shea 2-68 )
First innings win to South Canterbury
Full scorecard for the match