North Otago beat Otago Country by 65 runs in the Hawke Cup elimination match played at Milner Park, Oamaru, over the weekend, due mainly to a bowling marathon from North Otago allrounder Francois Mostert in Otago Country's second innings.
Mostert bowled 25 overs and four balls on the trot, finishing with six for 40. The other outstanding individual was teenager Nathan Smith who took four for 34 in Country's first innings and two for 32 in the second innings.
He also added an unbeaten 47 in North Otago's second innings, featuring in a 10th-wicket stand of 66 with Ricky Whyte (24).
Otago Country won the toss and decided to bowl on a greenish Milner Park pitch on Saturday, a decision which appeared to be an inspired one, as the Otago Country bowling attack, spearheaded by Sam Blakely, had North Otago 17 for three as Glynn Cameron, Jeremy Smith and Jeremiah Shields departed. Duncan Drew (33) and Ben Cant (30) righted the ship, adding 61 for the fourth wicket and with the demise of Cant, North Otago slumped to 78 for five as Francois Mostert faced just two balls.
Regan George went cheaply and North Otago was 85 for six. Seventeen-year-old Nathan Smith joined Drew and this pair added an invaluable 41 before Drew went at 116.
Lachie Kingan (13 not out) gave Smith support before Smith's (24) wicket was the ninth to fall at 126 and the North Otago innings closed at 142. Blakely was the outstanding Otago Country bowler, claiming five for 55, while Mark Knox claimed three for 43.
Otago Country was dismissed for 105 in its first innings with only Michael Goldstein and Fraser Wilson, both of whom made 33, showing any resistance.
Nathan Smith made it a memorable day as he claimed four for 34, while Cant took three for 13 and Mostert two for 29. Otago Country hit back late in the day to have North Otago 22 for three at stumps, an overall lead of 59, with seven second wickets in hand.
On day two North Otago slumped to 99 for nine, an overall lead of just 126. But Smith, with an unbeaten 47, combined with No 11 batsman Ricky Whyte (24) to add 66 runs for the 10th wicket, leaving Otago Country to score 193 for outright points.
At tea, Otago Country was struggling at 71 for five. Mostert had taken three for 22 off 17 overs and Smith had claimed two for 29 off nine overs.
In the final session, apart from Michael Goldstein (27) and Chris Beck (37), Otago Country buckled under the pressure exerted especially by Mostert and was dismissed for 127.
By Terry O'Neill.
