Otago would like to go one better this weekend.
An experienced and balanced Otago squad will chase division one glory at the New Zealand interprovincial tournament starting in Wellington tonight.
They were second last year and would dearly love to wrestle the Welch Trophy off defending champions Waikato.
The tournament format involves the top eight players from each province being split into two teams.
Each bowler plays five games of fours, five of pairs and five of singles, and points are combined across both teams.
Daniel French, Matthew Foster, Raymond Webster and Keri Te Tamaki form the first Otago team, and Brandon Williams, David Webb, Daniel Sinclair and John Williams the second. Kristen Gould is the reserve.
Sinclair was named player of the tournament last year for winning 11.5 of his 15 games.
Otago are joined this year by neighbours Southland, who have earned promotion from division two.
Gary Low, Brian Hotton, Shawn Perry and Stephen Langley form the first Southland team, and Graham Low, Willie Donaldson, Jeanette Kuiti and Suzanne Mackie the second.
The other division one teams are Hutt Valley, Ashburton and Auckland.
Central Otago, who earned promotion last year, are also in Wellington for the division three tournament.
South Otago and North Otago are in the division four tournament in Christchurch.
