North Otago retained the Richards Trophy with an outright win by seven runs over South Canterbury in a two-day cricket match which was played at the Rectory, Timaru, at the weekend.

South Canterbury were ready for outright win on the second day, after North Otago had declared at 229 for nine in their second innings. But a disastrous batting collapse saw them all out for 99, chasing the required 107 runs.

A combination of good fielding (eight catches were held) and the medium pace bowling of A. Cartwright and R. Mason was responsible for the collapse.

The veteran cricketer, Cartwright, was in magnificent form, as he took five wickets for 43, including one caught and bowled which he held after racing half-way to the boundary. Mason also took five wickets at a cost of 51.

North Otago was unimpressive in its first innings and was all out for 77. Hitting the loose ball hard and playing some fine leg glances, I. Pitches top scored with 49.

South Canterbury replied with 200, including a forceful 73 by the No. 4 batsman, D. Bishop.

North Otago came to light in the second innings with B. Papps scoring an aggressive 74, which included nine boundaries. The second top scorer, R. Payne, who made 40, had misfortune to be out handled ball.

Short Scorecard(s)

Representative - Richards Trophy -

North Otago vs South Canterbury at Rectory, Timaru
North Otago 77 ( I. Pitches 49, R.S. Wilson 11, D'Auvergne 4-17, W. Taylor 3-20, Ritchie 2-11 ) & 229-9dec ( B.R. Papps 70, R.S. Payne 40, I. Pitches 28, N. Hoskin 26, J. McCombe 13, A.G. Cartwright 13, D'Auvergne 5-78, Galway 2-44 )
South Canterbury 200 ( D. Bishop 73, P. D'Auvergne 28, C. Aitken 16, J. Ward 15, D. Bradley 14, G. Ritchie 14, B. Andrews 12, B.R. Papps 4-44, C. Taylor 3-34 ) & 99 ( C. Aitken 44, J. Ward 13, A.G. Cartwright 5-43, R.J. Mason 5-51 )
North Otago won by 7 runs
Full scorecard for the match