North Otago scored its first outright win over Otago Country in seven seasons, and its first since its Hawke Cup victory over Manawatu, in fine style yesterday.
North Otago beat Country by nine wickets in Oamaru in a two-day Hawke Cup elimination match.
The game was a personal triumph for North Otago strike bowlers David Sewell and Ben Cant.
Sewell, playing his 19th season for North Otago, took six for 62 in Otago Country's first innings.
It was the third time Sewell had taken six wickets against Country. Cant ripped through the Otago Country second innings to finish with seven for 38 off 12.1 overs.
Otago Country was put in to bat by North Otago and, with Sewell and Cant working in tandem, the visiting side slumped to 92 for seven.
A 51-run stand between Sean Windle (45) and Mark Phillips carried the score through to 166.
North Otago's final wicket fell 25 minutes before stumps on the first day, with Duncan Drew (46) and Ed Smith (59) guiding the side through to 228, an overall lead of 62 runs.
Disaster hit Otago Country in the final 20 minutes as it lost two wickets for eight runs.
The rot continued yesterday morning as it collapsed to 33 for eight before being all out for 79, leaving North Otago the task of scoring 18 runs for maximum points. Cant finished with the outstanding figures of seven for 38, and Sewell three for 31.
North Otago lost Jeremiah Shields as it scored the required runs.
By Terry O'Neill.
