N. Otago wins outright

OAMARU: North Otago beat Mid Canterbury outright by 168 runs in a Hawke Cup match in Oamaru yesterday.

Mid Canterbury had North Otago staggering at 26 for four after sending it in.

Francois Mostert (23) and Nathan Smith (31) rallied with a 50run stand to lift the home side to 76 for five, and Regan George batted freely for 41 to help North Otago reach 137.

Mid Canterbury captain Bevan Ravenscroft was the pick of the bowlers, with three for 28.

James Southby (24) and Robbie Polson (37) gave Mid Canterbury an encouraging start but the visitors slumped to be all out for 101.

Craig Smith took five for 32 and Mostert four for eight from four overs.

North Otago had a lead of 85 with five wickets in hand by stumps.

Mostert resumed on 16 and went on to post 107. He had to sweat on 95 at lunch and brought up the milestone shortly after the break with some help from No 11 Brad Flemington. The pair put on 44 for the last wicket and got North Otago through to 210.

Mid Canterbury needed 247 to secure the win from 51 overs but crashed to be all out for a paltry 78.

Craig Smith was the star with four for 23 and finished with nine wickets for the match.

In another Hawke Cup match, Southland beat South Canterbury outright by 39 runs at Aorangi Park in Timaru.

Southland picked up a maximum 12 points to take it clear of Otago Country.

In the final round next weekend, Southland will host North Otago, while Otago Country plays Mid Canterbury in Ashburton.