Rain foiled any chance of a result in North Otago's Hawke Cup elimination series cricket game, played in Invercargill during the weekend. Nevertheless, the local side finished the season in second place in the competition, behind Dunedin Metropolitan and ahead of Southland and Central Otago.

"We finished in second place, and that's amazing. We were third place last year and the year before, but fourth for about the 10 years before that. You never know next year," North Otago Cricket coaching and development co-ordinator and representative team member Keith Gardner said today.

North Otago beat Central Otago and Southland in one day matches. They had a first innings win over Central in the two-day series, but lost outright to Dunedin Metropolitan, due mainly to a first innings batting collapse.

"That first innings of only 80 cost us in the end, " Gardner said.

The rain meant only 47 minutes of play was possible on Saturday at Queen's Park. In that time, Southland got through to 43 for the loss of one wicket.

Little more time was available yesterday. Play resumed at 10am but was interrupted again at 11.56 and finally abandoned at 1.55pm.

Southland had made a determined effort to make a game of it and were 172 for three at the close of play. David Sewell, one for 35, Neil Rushton one for 38 and Richard Quirk, one for 60, were the wicket-takers.

Short Scorecard(s)

Representative - Hawke Cup - Zone Series

North Otago vs Southland at Queens Park, Invercargill
Southland 172-3 ( C. McKenzie 73no, M. Sale 65, R. Macgillivery 24 )
No result
Full scorecard for the match