North Otago won the right to challenge Ashburton to decide which team will challenge for the Hawke Cup next season when they beat South Canterbury by 71 runs in the first innings of a Hawke Cup elimination match played at Milner Park at the weekend.
South Canterbury, who had had the upper hand when the teams met earlier in the season but were unable to force a decision, folded for only 67 runs in reply to North Otago's first innings total of 138.
None of the South Canterbury batsmen appeared at ease in front of the attack by the medium pace bowling of A. Cartwright and M. Kennard. Cartwright took six wickets for 30 and Kennard four for 31.
B.R. Papps who scored a steady 59, held the North Otago team together in the first innings when a collapse seemed imminent.
North Otago had been sent in to bat on a damp pitch and found it hard to score runs against the tight attack by South Canterbury.
After two hours play the score stood at 53 for two, and at tea six wickets had fallen for 121.
The remaining wickets fell quickly and the team was all out for 138.
South Canterbury also found the pitch difficult and at stumps on the fist day had only managed to scrape up 33 runs for the loss of five wickets.
AT the end of their first innings South Canterbury were still 71 runs short, with a total of 67 runs.
When North Otago batted again, R. Payne and B. Papps added a partnership of 66 runs for the first wicket. Wickets then started to fall as the batsmen tried to force the pace.
At 123 for eight North Otago made a token declaration, leaving South Canterbury no chance of scoring a win.
Short Scorecard(s)
Representative - Hawke Cup - Replay
South Canterbury vs North Otago at Milner Park, Oamaru
North Otago 135 ( B.R. Papps 59, K. Murray 17, R. Golden 15, I.T. Geddes 13, N.W. McKenzie 11, W. Ritchie 5-42, Hortin 3-53, Taylor 2-28 ) & 122-8 ( R.S. Payne 41, B.R. Papps 19, M. Wheeler 15no, K. Murray 12, Cosgrove 3-22, Taylor 3-26 )
South Canterbury 67 ( R. Hortin 16, G. Ritchie 16, A.G. Cartwright 6-30, M. Kennard 4-31 ) & 27-1 ( C. Aitken 22no )
First innings win to North Otago
Full scorecard for the match