North Otago will be hoping to buck a losing trend when it makes its fourth Hawke Cup challenge in a three-day game against holder Manawatu in Palmerston North this weekend.
North Otago's first challenge was against Hawkes Bay in December 1968, at McLean Park in Napier.
The team was led by Brian Papps, who had scored more than 400 runs in the representative season at an average of 54.
Also in the team was Arthur Berry, who had played four first-class games for Otago in the 1955-56 season.
Other players who had represented Otago were Bob Wilson and Tony Cartwright, while Chris Taylor had toured Australia with the Otago B side.
Selector and captain Papps still has vivid memories of the game.
"I won the toss and, not realising that the McLean Park block was a batsman's paradise, decided to bat first," he said.
The Hawkes Bay bowlers made good use of the early life in the wicket to dismiss North Otago for 164.
"I still remember the innings of Arthur Berry with his 70 in the first innings and a great 102 in the second," Papps said.
Hawkes Bay scored 442 in its first dig, Cartwright taking five for 143.
North Otago was dismissed for 248 in its second innings, giving Hawkes Bay a win by an innings and 30 runs.
North Otago's next challenge came against Southland in 1990-91.
Southland was a formidable holder, having defended the cup 14 times.
It included five Otago players in Michael Lamont, Ben Harris, Richard Hoskin, John Lindsay and Kasim Ibadulla.
Also in the team was a 17-year-old all-rounder named Jeff Wilson.
North Otago was dismissed for 119 in its first innings, and Southland replied with 461, Lamont and Hoskin both scoring centuries.
North Otago was all out for 80 in its second turn, Wilson taking five for 18 to give Southland a win by an innings and 262 runs.
The 2001-2002 North Otago team had four players - Neil Rushton, David Sewell, Duncan Drew and Craig Smith - who had played or would play for Otago, and Sewell won one test cap for New Zealand.
North Otago made 211, Mark Wilson making an unbeaten 94. Hamilton replied with 301, Sewell taking four for 40 and Rushton three for 60.
In its second innings, North Otago was dismissed for 154, and Hamilton chased down the target without losing a wicket.
- Terry O'Neill
