Wet weather spoilt both North Otago and Otago Country’s chances of getting an outright win in the Hawke Cup zone four match at the weekend.
Rain washed out the second day for North Otago and Otago Country in Oamaru yesterday, a frustrating end to the match which was set up for an interesting finish.
Otago Country elected to bowl first and took down North Otago’s top order in the first four overs.
Kelan Smith opened proceedings with a wicket off his third ball and captain Sam Blakely took another shortly after.
Then entered North Otago captain Jeremy Smith and Tom Dempster to try to steer the team back from the brink of collapse.
And they did, putting on 153 runs for the fourth wicket, setting a record for the highest North Otago partnership for any wicket against Otago Country — the perfect gift for Smith who celebrated his birthday on Saturday.
Cam Jackson took the important wicket of Smith (93) just after lunch but nothing could slow Dempster down.
He went on to score a 91 run partnership for the fifth wicket with Stephan Grobler and finished 120 not out, his first Hawke Cup century.
Kelan Smith, Jackson, and Charanjeet Singh took down North Otago’s lower order before the home side declared at 321 for eight in the 71st over.
Otago Country went in to bat late on Saturday and looked to be tracking well in the early stages.
Opening batter Taylor Cumberland found his rhythm to post 59 before he was bowled by Blake James.
Jackson (36) also made a handy contribution before James also picked him off for his second wicket of the day.
Cameron Grubb also took two wickets and Otago Country finished the day at 125 for four.
But once the rain set in yesterday, it never stopped and the match was called a draw just after lunch.
In Invercargill, Southland took a first-innings win against Mid Canterbury.
Mid Canterbury posted a solid total of 239 in the first innings through contributions by Will Southby (54), Des Kruger (46) and Matt Tait (34).
In reply, Southland had a stunning innings, led by captain Brendan Domigan’s century (105) and Shaun Fitzgibbon (71) for a total of 317.
Mid Canterbury was 127 for two in its second innings at the end of play, giving Southland a first-innings win.
