It was another record-breaking knock for North Otago.
Stephan Grobler and Cameron Grubb produced a record ninth-wicket partnership in the second innings to help North Otago to an outright victory at Centennial Park at the weekend.
Mid Canterbury did not walk away empty-handed. They secured first-innings points — their first points this season — to move off the bottom of the zone four ladder.
But the game belonged to North Otago.
Grobler and Grubb combined to put on 141 runs for the ninth wicket, and Grubb’s 94 runs — his highest Hawke Cup score, including a maiden half-century — was the highest total for a North Otago No 10 batter.
They surpassed the previous record of set by Brian Papps and Robert Mason against Fiji 57 years ago.
Earlier, they both struck with the ball.
North Otago limped to 86 in the first innings and in reply, Mid Canterbury were all out for 119.
Grobler took his fourth five wicket-bag of the season with five for 63 and Grubb cleaned up with four for 32.
North Otago were then all out for 258 in their second innings and in reply Mid Canterbury were out for 131.
Captain Jeremy Smith bagged five for 37, Grubb, who also took two catches, grabbed another two, and Grobler took a wicket.
Mid Canterbury bowlers Lachie Jemmett and Tom Johnston were impressive across the two innings.
Jemmett took seven for 85 and Johnston took seven for 71.
Southland came agonisingly close to a first-innings victory against South Canterbury. But the table leaders held on with a six-run win at Pleasant Point.
Southland seamer Sithum Bandara picked up another six wicket-bag in a stand-out performance.
Bandara, who also nabbed five-wicket bags against Mid Canterbury and North Otago, was key in helping Southland restrict zone leaders South Canterbury to 253.
South Canterbury had handy contributions down the order from Liam Beck (65), Shaun Rooney (63) and Will Sharp (51).
In reply, Southland were all out for 248.
Jason Osborne was unbeaten with 52, Shaun Fitzgibbon added 49 and Aaron Hart chipped in with 44.
Jed McKerrow was the pick of South Canterbury’s bowlers with four for 67.
