Hamilton secured an impressive 146 run win with an innings to spare in their Hawke Cup match against Southland at Galloway Park.
The Southland batting line-up couldn’t handle a well-balanced bowling attack and subsequently were forced to follow on having been set a total of 409 by Hamilton.
Southland opted to bowl after winning the toss and got off to a good start by dismissing Owen Ivins for just 10.
That however was as good as it got for the visitors, as Hamilton proceeded to make strong partnerships throughout the innings.
Five players brought up their half-centuries, with SJ McLeod top scoring for his side with an unbeaten 75. In the end Hamilton were all out for 409.
Young gun Jacob Duffy was the best of the bowlers for the Southerners and finished with figures of three for 65 from 24 overs.
It was going to be a big ask for Southland to chase down such a total, particularly against a strong Hamilton bowling attack.
The pressure was evident from the outset and soon reflected on the scorecard.
Hamilton ripped through the batting line-up to dismiss Southland for just 93. It was a disappointing looking scorecard, with just Hamish O’Brien putting up any real resistance with 40.
Josef Walker was chief destroyer, ripping through the middle order with four straight wickets, all of which were clean-bowled.
Southland, still behind by 302 were then forced to follow on, but got off to a far better start than in their first innings.
Jason Domigan and Ryan Duffy put on 51 for the first wicket, before Duffy was caught on 31.
His dismissal saw another collapse for the Southlanders, as they fell to 66 for five.
Domigan was stubborn for the Southlanders, playing right through the innings and ended up 52 not out. However Hamilton were just too good and dismissed them for a second innings total of 170.
It was still 146 runs short of Hamilton having to bat again.
Once again Walker was the key, as he once again got four straight wickets, to finish with figures of four for 56 from 16 overs.
