Cameron Grubb

North Otago wrapped up an outright win in the Hawke Cup qualifier at the Ashburton Domain, beating Mid Canterbury by six wickets.

Long-serving opening bowler Grubb reached a milestone on the opening day when he passed 100 wickets for the province.

The burly left-armer, who went into the fixture with 98 wickets from 34 games, grabbed three early leg befores to become the 10th North Otago bowler to pass 100 scalps.

Mid Canterbury were in a shocking hole at 22 for five before Lachie Jemmett, playing alongside two of his brothers, fought back with an unbeaten 47 off 58 balls.

Rising star Hanroux Wessels flayed 53 off 40 to help nudge the home side to 133.

Grubb finished with four for 37 from 10 overs and the crafty Stephan Grobler cleaned up the tail to pick up four for 33 from nine.

North Otago’s response was steady and effective, openers Lachlan Brookes (30 off 65) and Hunter Wardle (25 off 56) setting the tone.

Jeremy Smith (23) and Grobler (21) nibbled away, before No 9 batter Luke Taylor played a starring - and ultimately match-winning - role.

Taylor smashed nine fours and two sixes on his way to 69 as North Otago earned a first-innings advantage and posted 200.

Another Jemmett, Angus, led the home side with a six-wicket bag.

Tom McKenzie smacked 69 at the top of the order but Mid Canterbury’s second innings fell away, and a total of 140 meant North Otago had to chase just 74 for an outright victory.

Liam Direen (four for 44) and Grubb (three for 25) were the pick of the bowlers in that innings.

Wardle (26) and Blake James (23 not out) made the biggest contributions as North Otago chased the target down for the loss of four wickets in the 24th over.

Rain made an outright result impossible in Invercargill, where South Canterbury claimed first-innings points.

South Canterbury scored 186, Southland responded with 123, and the visitors were 108 for two when the game was called.

Kieran Lloyd took six wickets for Southland in the first innings.

Short Scorecard(s)

Representative - Hawke Cup - Zone Series

North Otago vs Mid Canterbury at Ashburton Domain Oval, Ashburton
Mid Canterbury 133 ( H. Wessells 53, L. Jemmett 47no, C.N. Grubb 4-37, S.F. Grolber 3-33 ) & 140 ( T. Mckenzie 69, W.T. Southby 21no, A. Jemmett 13, L.T. Direen 4-44, C.N. Grubb 3-25 )
North Otago 200 ( L. Taylor 69, L.X.F. Brookes 30, H.J. Wardle 25, J.B. Smith 23, S.F. Grolber 21, A. Jemmett 6-50, R. Richan 3-35 ) & 75-4 ( H.J. Wardle 26, B.G. James 23no, A.M. Wilson 13, R. Richan 3-30 )
North Otago by 6 wickets.
Full scorecard for the match

Player Pages:
Lachlan Brookes | Liam Direen | Stephan Grobler | Cameron Grubb | Jeremy Smith | Luke Taylor | Hunter Wardle |