A whirlwind innings of 62 by makeshift opener Craig McDonald almost set up an improbable victory for North Otago in a U-Bix Cup cricket game played at Centennial Park in the weekend.
In the finish North Otago faltered in its run chase and Ashburton escaped with a first innings win, although the result could have easily have gone the other way. It was an encouraging performance by North Otago which showed glimpses of its potential after a disappointing start to the match.
McDonald provided most of the entertainment yesterday, blasting 62 runs of just 44 balls to give North Otago a flying start chasing a target of 287 to win in two and half hours and 17 overs. The burly right-hander made his intentions clear from the start swatting the first ball he faced to the boundary and going on to his 11 fours and one six in his spectacular innings.
North Otago was well placed at 82 without loss at tae with McDonald and Duncan Drew riding their luck being dropped early in their innings - McDonald to a skier that had snow on it and Drew a relatively easy chance at point.
When McDonald was finally out caught behind off the bowling of Chris Bell, Drew and Craig Hore maintained the momentum and kept North Otago on track. Hore was trapped leg before for a useful 29 bringing Campbell Ogilvie to the crease and he also kept the runs ticking over.
A tight finish appeared imminent as the match went to the final 17 overs with North Otago in a strong position at 159 for two needing 7.5 runs an over to win.
However the home team's hopes were ruined by a spell of medium pace bowling by Chris Bell who slowed the run rate and swung the game back in Ashburton's favour. Bell bowled a marathon 21 over spell from the northern end taking six for 73 as North Otago finished as 238 for eight at stumps.
The final two session were a remarkable turnaround as North Otago had been outplayed by Ashburton on the first day of the match on Saturday and in the morning session yesterday.
North Otago had narrowly avoided the follow-on with a total of 165 after Ashburton had scored 248 to obtain first innings points.
Mark Wilson was the saviour in North Otago's first innings top scoring with 47 while Gordon Lemon (20), Neil Rushton (29 not out) and Stephen Neil (19) batted well lower down the order to avoid the follow-on.
A second wicket partnership of 151 between Eddie Gorman and Richard Madden kept Ashburton on top in the morning session yesterday. Gorman was 100 not out when Ashburton declared its second innings closed an hour before afternoon tea.
Although North Otago are yet to gain any points in the U-Bix Cup matches it was a vast improvement from the game against Central Otago last weekend.
Coach Gavin Laird said the team made a lot progress in the game with many of the younger players recording encouraging performances. The batting of Drew and Ogilvie, who produced their first substantial innings was especially pleasing, he said.
Mr Laird said McDonald was top innings while Wilson continued with his good form in representative games this season. Apart from six dropped catches on the first day the fielding and bowling was sharp, he said. "I was thrilled with our batting in the second innings. McDonald set it up with his knock and the rest of the batsmen carried it on."
"The first innings was a disappointment with dropped catches and poor batting but it was to us bounce back like we did. We were going to win but Bell screwed us down at the start of the 17 overs" Liard said.
Short Scorecard(s)
Representative - U-Bix Cup - Zone Series
Ashburton County vs North Otago at Centennial Park Oval, Oamaru
Ashburton County 248 ( W. Eddington 47, E. Gorman 38, R. Ellis 35, L. Jemmett 30, C. Bell 18, L. Forde 14no, B. Ritchie 12, P.D. Bleach 2-26, A. Robertson 2-30, S. Neil 2-42, N.W. Rushton 2-44 ) & 203-4dec ( E. Gorman 100no, R. Madden 56, C. Bell 14, K.J. Mansfield 2-55 )
North Otago 165 ( M. Wilson 47, N.W. Rushton 29no, K.J. Mansfield 24, G. Lemon 20, S. Neil 19, J. Ellis 5-52, Bell 2-25 ) & 238-8 ( D.J. Drew 67, C. McDonald 62, C. Ogilive 33, C. Hore 29, K.J. Mansfield 14no, Bell 6-73, Eddington 2-87 )
First innings win to Ashburton County
Full scorecard for the match