Rain over the weekend has virtually assured North Otago the Zone four Hawke Cup challenge, even with three matches still to be played.
North Otago, which did not have a game over the weekend but will play Mid Canterbury in Ashburton next weekend, has 32 points from its three games played, followed by South Canterbury (17), Southland (13), Otago Country (10) and Mid Canterbury (0).
North Otago, South Canterbury, Southland and Otago Country all have one game remaining while Mid Canterbury has two.
The match between South Canterbury and Otago Country was abandoned yesterday morning after rain had made the outfield dangerous - water restrictions had led to bare patches - and both teams received five points each.
Only 17 overs were bowled on Saturday. South Canterbury was 66 for one when the players came off, Adam Beck 36 not out and Probadha Arthavidu unbeaten on 26, after Jacques Marais was dismissed for two. Sanchit Sandhu took the wicket for Otago Country.
Mid Canterbury hosted Southland but a start on the Saturday was delayed until 2.10pm, after Mid Canterbury had won the toss and elected to bat. The umpires decided there would be 75 overs in two sessions.
Southland captain Jason Domigan led by example, slicing through the Mid Canterbury top order to have the opposition staggering.
Domigan claimed the wickets of James Southby (9), Jono Print (3), Morgan Gallagher (5) and Des Kruger (14) to be sitting on the figures of four for 14 off nine overs.
Jamie Glenn took the next two wickets - Bo Houston (10) and Richard Print (0) - to have the home side 62 for six after just 19 overs.
Matthew Tait showed there were few dangers in the pitch or from the Southland bowlers as he batted freely for his 58, his 50 coming up in 65 and from 43 balls.
His wicket, the eighth to fall, came at 123.
The last two wickets added a solitary run as Domigan finished with five for 34, while Glenn and Jonathan Hodson took two wickets each.
Southland found runs easy to come by and at stumps on the first day was 150 for four with a lead of 26 runs.
Play was delayed yesterday because of rain and the game was abandoned at 12.45pm, Southland taking first innings points.
By Terry O'Neill.
