It was oh-so-close for Mid Canterbury in the Hawke Cup, however the side should be overjoyed to claim first innings points at the weekend.

The two-match encounter with Otago Country came alive late on the second day at the Ashburton Domain Oval. after the contest appeared to be trickling to a stalemate.

Otago Country entered the final hour on Sunday at 82/2 in their second innings, still another 115 runs off the target and a minimum of 16 overs left in the day’s play.

However Mid Canterbury whittled away to set themselves up at a late push at an outright win as the visitors lost 5-34 in the final session, slumping to 134/7 with five overs remaining.

Otago Country hung on as stumps were drawn and handshakes exchanged.

Mid Canterbury earned six points after claiming a 23-run first innings lead.

Unlike their earlier season meeting down in Central Otago, batting proved to be a more confronting prospect on both the Saturday and Sunday.

Mid Canterbury batsmen William Southby (left) and Des Kruger scamper through for a run at the Ashburton Domain Oval at the weekend. Photo Heather MackenzieMid Canterbury were bowled for 180 on the opening day, a positive outcome for Country considering the hosts won the toss and went to lunch break at 123/4.

Captain William Southby led from the front in tricky conditions with 61, while Des Kruger was inevitably among the runs with 46.

Otago also found the going tough on the Ashburton deck. After heading to tea at 40/3, the visitors were unable to kick on, as Shaun Stagg ripped Country apart to leave them 126/8 late on the Saturday.

A stubborn 31-run ninth wicket stand ensured a nervous sleep for Mid Canterbury, before Country were mopped up for 157 early the next morning.

Needing quick wickets, Otago Country picked up regular scalps at the top to keep the home side honest.

Again it was Kruger’s wicket which proved elusive for the visitors, as he fashioned a crucial knock of 66, which both inflated the second innings target and chewed into the remaining time left in the day.

Mid Canterbury were bowled out for 173 in their second innings, which left all three results still on the table, but the advantage very much with the home team.

Set 197 to win, Country lost opener Michael Goldstein and Sukhdev Singh in quick succession to wobble at 28/2.

A 72-run third wicket stand between Cameron Jackson and Steve Hobson looked to have ruled a line through Mid Canterbury’s chances of an outright win,but it was a premature forecast, as the final flurry of wickets set the hosts up for a remarkable victory.

A few more overs up their sleeve, and who knows what may have transpired.

© The Ashburton Guardian - 15 December 2020