Oamaru has to be the best little sporting town in the country.
North Otago claimed the Hawke Cup for the third time in 12 seasons with a monster 250-run win against Nelson at Saxton Oval yesterday.
It will bring the cup home today, where it will join the coveted Meads Cup in residence in Oamaru.
That is a pretty impressive cricket-rugby double for an area with a small population.
Long-serving North Otago Cricket Association chairman Peter Cameron believes this win was arguably the best of the three Hawke Cup glories.
"The first time was exceptional because we were playing Manawatu and again this time it was against Nelson, who have a population of 104,000 or something in the Nelson district whereas we’re under 20," he said.
"But that is our largest-ever win at Hawke Cup level in the history of the association."
Star bowler Nathan Smith played an instrumental role. He nabbed a five-wicket bag during the first innings.
The talented 22-year-old is an established first-class player for Otago and enhanced his reputation this season with some strong performances for New Zealand A.
But the chance to play alongside older brother Jeremy Smith for his home association and contribute to what will be a much-celebrated win was a highlight.
"This is up there, for sure," Smith said.
"To win it with my brother is awesome and to come back and contribute to the win feels pretty good."
Initially, North Otago’s prospects of wresting the Hawke Cup off Nelson looked bleak.
The side collapsed to be 17 for four but rallied to reach a modest first innings tally of 168.
"It wasn’t looking too hot.
"I think they caught us on the hop a wee bit," Nathan Smith said.
But North Otago clawed its way back into the game. Nathan Smith took five for 32 to help dismiss the home side for a paltry 109.
The visiting side built on its lead with a solid team effort with the bat.
Jeremiah Shields (44), Lockie Kingan (54), Llew Johnson (60) and Tom Dempster (40) all made valuable contributions and No11 Cameron Grubb whacked 46 from 47 balls in a damaging last-wicket stand of 63 to help the side reach 314.
That left Nelson chasing an unlikely target of 374 for victory.
Jeremy Smith (three for 45) and Stephan Grobler (three for 16) teamed up to help bowl out Nelson for 123 and seal a comfortable win.
The focus will have to quickly shift from celebration to a title defence against Hawke’s Bay, in Oamaru in a couple of weeks.
