Otago Country was unable to avoid an outright loss to Mid Canterbury in a Hawke Cup elimination match at Molyneux Park over the weekend after a mixed match with the bat.
Country skipper Brendan Domigan lost the toss on Saturday morning and his team was in disarray early at 102 for six.Plenty of batsmen got starts including Fraser Wilson (34), Michael Collins (31), Jarred Andrew (25) and Domigan (24) but none managed to build a big score. As a result, Country was all out for 176, with Jason Morrison taking four wickets for 22 off 12 overs.
By stumps, Country had redeemed itself with the ball and it was Mid Canterbury that was in trouble at 116 for four, Domigan picking up three wickets for 50 from 17 overs.
However, Country could not secure the wicket of Jono Print who yesterday got to 115 before he was bowled by Sam Blakely.
Print was aided by Matt Winter (51) and Dan Willemson (43) as Mid Canterbury made 245.
This left Country trailing by 69 and needing to score quickly to push on for a much-needed outright win.
Dunstan's Scott Paulin continued his rich vain of form with 106 not out in the second innings, his second century in as many games at the top of the order.
Captain Domigan had 66 before he decided to declare at 228 for four and try to bowl Mid Canterbury out.
However a lead of 159 was not quite enough and Mid Canterbury got the runs with six wickets in hand to secure the maximum 12 points.
It was a brave decision from Domigan and Otago Country but one that needed to be made, as it needed the 12 points to even have a chance at challenging for the Hawke Cup.
Along with Paulin and Domigan, Sam Blakely had a good game with the ball, taking four wickets, while Collins also had a solid game with 69 runs in the match.
