Successful defence

The 112-year-old Hawke Cup will be spending Christmas in Rangiora after Canterbury Country succeeded in their defence against 2021/22 zone 4 challengers Southland with a strong all-round performance.

Southland had entered yesterday’s final day at Mainpower Oval needing to overhaul Canterbury Country’s healthy first innings tally of 421, but were dismissed for 161 – whereupon the captains shook hands, the hosts retaining the Cup on the first innings.

Southland will now return to compete in the regional zone 4 Hawke Cup qualifying competition, with the possibility of a second Hawke Cup challenge in the same summer should they again win through from zone 4.

Canterbury Country 421 (Z Foulkes 161, J Frew 91, T Gruitjers 77; B Buttar-Scurr 4-71, K Thompson 3-23) beat Southland 161 (H Skelt 46, J McKenzie 34; W Smith 3-13) on the first innings.