North Otago shook off a disastrous start to move into a commanding position in the Hawke Cup challenge against Nelson.
The visiting side lost two wickets in the opening over of the game at Saxton Oval yesterday and slumped further to 17 for four.
Opener Jeremiah Shields made a diamond duck but his side eventually came up diamonds.
Tom Dempster led the fightback with 43 and Ben Donkers' knock of 49 from 78 balls was, in the context of the day's play, huge.
Still, a total of 168 hardly seemed worth celebrating but Nelson had crashed to 81 for seven by stumps on day one of the three-day match.
The home had all the early fun, though. Strike bowler Josh Newport took five for 65 and enjoyed wonderful support from former Southland wrist spinner Harsh Visavadiya, who captured three for 45.
But North Otago's modest target transformed into a more significant tally once the Smiths went to work. Brothers Nathan and Jeremy built pressure through a series of dot balls and maiden overs and the wickets started tumbling.
Cameron Grubb got the initial breakthrough, but Nathan removed the dangerous Greg Hay for 16 and claimed two more scalps.
The medium-pacer's three for 18 from 11 overs represented an excellent return.
Jeremy bowled seven maidens in his 13-over spell and nabbed a wicket late, while Stephan Grobler struck twice before stumps to leave the home side trailing by 87 runs.
