It set the home side the task of scoring 273 runs to win but the North Otago bowling attack, led by Craig Smith who took six for 25, dismissed Otago Country in its second innings for 73 runs.
North Otago won the toss against Otago Country at Molyneux Park on Saturday and made a shaky, start losing its first four wickets for just 27 runs. Three batsmen failed to score. Nathan Smith (33) and Francois Mostert (32) then guided North Otago through to 64 before the bottom order disintegrated, adding a mere 16 runs as North Otago’s innings closed at 97.
Outstanding bowling for the home side came from Bailey Andrews-Kennedy who took six for 14 off 12 overs.
The batting plague that North Otago had brought with it through the Pigroot soon affected the Otago Country batting performance as it stumbled through to 92 before the final wicket fell. Only Tim McCormick (27) and Barry White (25) showed any defiance.
Mostert was superb, taking seven for 28 off 17 overs, and Craig Smith took two for 28.
North Otago at stumps on the first day was 76 for three, an overall lead of 81 runs with the Smith brothers Jeremy(15) and Nathan (42) together in an unbeaten fourth-wicket stand of 58.
The Smiths dominated the first session of the second day and from 76 for three overnight North Otago declared shortly after lunch at 267 for nine, with Jeremy Smith dismissed for 47. Nathan batted on to 133 before he was dismissed with the total at 245 and the declaration came soon after giving Otago Country the task of scoring 274 runs to win.
Bailey Andrews-Kennedy was the most successful Country bowler, taking three for 63.
Otago Country was dismissed for a meagre 73 runs chasing 273 to win as Craig Smith sliced through the Otago Country batting line-up, taking six for 25.
In Timaru, South Canterbury also scored an outright win over Mid Canterbury, set the task in its second innings of scoring nine runs.
- Terry O'Neill
