A well complied unbeaten century to opening batsmen Larry Williams place South Canterbury in good position to enforce an outright win over North Otago in a Cyclone Hawke Cup elimination match at Knottingly Park, Waimate, yesterday.
Williams (101no) and Mike Hawke (62no) combined in a 178-run partnership to have South Canterbury 222-3 at close of play.
Earlier, Harvey King ripped the middle from the North Otago batting line-up to have it dismissed for a paltry 125.
North Otago pressed its team manager, Ivan Geddes, into service for this match when a back injury caused captain Chris Taylor to pull out on the morning of the match.
Geddes was given the sterling service to North Otago over a number of years, but had retired from club cricket this season.
North Otago weathered the early new ball attack and at 56-3 was proceeding sedately but safely to a respectable total.
Steve McFelin bowled six overs to spell King who charged in refreshed to clean out the middle order. He was well supported in the field by some sharp catching and the situation was quickly 78-8.
The valuable wicket was that of Phil Collings, brilliantly picked up the gully by D'Avuerge for 47. Collings had scored the bulk of his sides runs and was looking a most accomplished player.
The middle order put up little resistance in the face of the King onslaught. It was good bowling by King on the pitch not exactly suited to fast bowlers.
He finished with 5-21 from 15 overs, retiring from the field before the innings was over after taking a knock on a knee while fielding.
Captain Phil D'Auvergne supported King well, bowling a 21 over spell, taking 3-34.
The early South Canterbury ground fielding was untidy, but improved as the day wore on. The catching was good, D'Auvergne picked up two good ones and Bruce Rayner running back and taking the ball over his left shoulder.
North Otago's last pair proved to be more than nuisance value, holding out for 40 minutes, while adding 39 runs. Trevor Robertson (18no) was left not out when his Peter Crombie (13) was bowled by Barrie Andrews.
The innings lasted a session and one hour.
South Canterbury bean its innings at seven minutes to three, opening with Williams and Andrews.
Andrews was timing the ball nicely, racing to 22 before he was out to a mistimed hook. He had just taken three consecutive boundaries from Trevor Robertson with a cut, a hook and cover drive. The score was 28.
He was rapidly followed by John Varcoe who flashed at the second ball he faced to be caught behind by Geddes from Mark Julius.
D'Auvergne, whose batting form has not been good this season, promoted himself in the order. He played two slashing square cuts before playing over a ball from Julius which bowled him.
At the other end Williams had been playing himself in, watchful, taking no risks. Early in his innings he chose to use his pads more than his bat and in one over from Julius padded all six all six balls away.
He was joined by Hawke and both batted superbly. Williams was effective at gliding the ball backward of square on the leg side, his most productive shot.
So fast was the outfield that if a ball beat the inner ring it was generally four. The South Canterbury pair took advantage of his and some loose bowling to pound the ball into the fence regularly.
The weather, which had been threatening al day, played its part in the South Canterbury decision to bat through to close.
South Canterbury was keen to have North Otago bat again but with the rain and the low cloud over it was decided to bat through.
Williams went to his century in the last over of the day in classical style, with a straight drive for four.
He gave two sharp chances during the innings, but batted with skill and resolve.
South Canterbury has a 97 run lead and is certain to declare overnight. It must then bowl North Otago out cheaply to claim outright.
The situation in the zone five elimination series dictates that South Canterbury must beat North Otago outright and beat Southland to claim the challenge for the second successive year.
Short Scorecard(s)
Representative - Cyclone Hawke Cup - Zone Series
North Otago vs South Canterbury at Knottinglay Park, Waimate
North Otago 125 ( P. Collings 47, T. Roberson 18no, G. Johnson 13, P. Crombie 13, King 5-21, Andrews 3-34, D'Auvergne 3-34 ) & 128 ( B. McGregor 40, T. Roberson 17, C. Shea 11, D'Auvergne 2-10, Andrews 2-20, King 2-21, McFelin 2-27 )
South Canterbury 222-3dec ( L. Williams 101no, M. Hawke 62no, B. Andrews 22, P. D'Auvergne 11, M.W. Julius 2-61 ) & 35-2 ( S McFelin 14no, P. D'Auvergne 12no )
South Canterbury won by 8 wickets
Full scorecard for the match