Hawke Cup reign comes to end
Southland’s Hawke Cup cricket reign is over.
Southland lost by 36 runs on first innings in a thrilling showdown with Nelson at Queens Park in Invercargill.
Heading into the third and final day yesterday, Southland was 108 for three chasing Nelson’s first innings total of 297.
Southland lost Ryan Duffy and Hamish Skelt early on day three with Southland reduced to 129 for five.
However, opening batsman James Ng teamed up with Amarpreet Singh in a sixth wicket stand which put Southland within touch.
Singh lead the way with 78 from 84 balls as the pair put on and 113 run partnership.
At lunch, Southland was 232 for five needing another 65 runs.
However the break did not seem to do the Hawke Cup holders too many favours as Singh departed five balls into the second session.
From that point the wheels fell off the Southland chase as its grip on the Hawke Cup loosened.
Southland lost its last five wickets for 28 runs as Nelson grabbed a hold of the Hawke Cup.
It brought an end to what has been a golden 11 months for Southland cricket after it beat Counties Manukau in March to win the Hawke Cup for the first time in 26 years.
Southland managed one defence and put up a spirited showing against Nelson before it all came to an end.