Teams not out of running yet

CRICKET North Otago v Mid Canty

IT is tight in the Hawke Cup southern zone, the final matches of which are set to be played over the next two weekends.

Zone 4, as it is known, has three associations — Otago Country, Mid Canterbury and Southland — all with 16 points at the top of the table. But South Canterbury and North Otago are not out of the running, even though they trail the leading three teams.

There are a couple of key matches to be played this weekend.

Mid Canterbury travels for its twoday game against North Otago, while Otago Country lines up against South Canterbury, in Alexandra.

South Canterbury is only four points behind the top four teams.

The zone 4 challenge has been set down against the holder, Canterbury Country, on the second week in February. That is if Canterbury Country retains the cup in its first challenge next weekend.

The final zone 4 game will have Southland hosting North Otago in Invercargill on January 3031.

North Otago: Jeremiah Shields, Stephan Grobler, Thomas Shields, Llew Johnson, Tom Dempster, Ben Donkers, Lachlan Kingan, Jeremy Smith, Scott Kitto, Blake James, Cameron Grubb.

Mid Canterbury: Dean Flannery, Angus Jemmett, Ben Innes, Des Kruger, James Southby, William Southby, Regan Bell, Richard Turtie, Shaun Stagg, Harry McMillan, Tom Middleton.

Zone four points: Mid Canterbury 16, Otago Country 16, Southland 16, South Canterbury 12, North Otago 8.

North Otago has made some changes to its side to take on Mid Canterbury. A loss by North Otago or even a failure to take any points could strike a mortal blow against the hopes of the home side going any further.

Otago Volts batsman Llew Johnson is back in the North Otago team, having been left out of the Otago side to take on Wellington in the capital tomorrow.

Otago Country had an encouraging first innings win over Southland in Alexandra last weekend, so is hoping to continue with the winning form this weekend.