Now you see it, now you don't.
That's what Otago Country will be thinking after Marlborough snatched the Hawke Cup away in Country's first defence, with a win by an innings yesterday.
Otago Country's second tenure of the cup was short-lived, after it took it off North Otago two weeks ago.
After a less than impressive first day in Alexandra, when the home side was all out for 83, Marlborough went on to amass 472, on the back of centuries from opener James Pearce (129) and middle-order batsman Jerry Lamb (122).
Both continued at the crease on day two, after surviving a few overs after tea on day one, to reach the milestones.
Pearce scored at a good clip, reaching his hundred off 153 balls, in an innings that included 18 boundaries.
Lamb hit 19 boundaries, including two sixes, in his innings.
Then, to make matters worse for the Country side, former All Black Leon MacDonald marched to the crease at No 7 and whacked 85 before his was the last wicket to fall on the second day.
Bowling proved tough for Otago Country and no bowler really made an impact.
Only bit-part bowler Fraser Wilson looked comfortable, taking three for 28 off nine overs.
Challenged with batting again late on day two, Otago Country fared much better, reaching 218 in its second innings, before being all out an hour after lunch on the final day.
Cam Rutherford was the shining light in the second innings, making 74.
Several of the Country batsmen got starts.
Central Districts bowler Ben Wheeler took five for 45 from 19 overs.
Country Coach Andy Sainsbury was realistic about what his side had achieved, saying Marlborough was a quality side and that his players had done well.
"I'm proud of the boys. They fought all the way to the end and that's all you can ask for."
He said his side had proved how good it was by winning the Cup and being the best of the best in the lower South Island, but the next step was to be the best in the whole of the South Island.
"It's another step up when you play teams from the top half of the South Island, and we found that out."
The Hawke Cup now travels north to Blenheim, where the next challenger will be Hawkes Bay, in a couple of weeks.
