Otago have picked up their first win of the Provincial A tournament with a 92 run victory over Central Districts.
Batting first Otago posted an imposing 311 thanks to a great display from Captain Iain Robertson. Despite a strong performance from the middle order Central never really threatened Otago’s total.
Ryan Duffy and Hamish Rutherford got Otago off to a strong start before Duffy was dismissed on 24. Rutherford kept on going and made an impressive 70 rom 78 deliveries.
Top scorer for Otago was Robertson though who was desperately unlucky not to make his century. After making an entertaining 98 from 87 deliveries he was tragically run out just two short of his ton.
It didn’t matter though as Otago had already launched themselves to an intimidating score of 311 for nine at the end of 50 overs.
Bevan Small was nearly a lone solider for the Central bowling attack as he collected figures of four for 30 from ten overs.
In reply Central never really looked in the hunt.
Opener Greg Haye made 26 and the Captain Gregg Todd also made a valuable contribution with 36. Unfortunately around these two batsmen wickets were falling cheaply.
It took a strong effort from the middle and lower order to keep it respectable for Central, namely thanks to BJ Barnett (47) and Dane Cleaver (46) who put on 52 for the seventh wicket.
In the end it was never going to be enough though as Central were dismissed for 219, still 93 runs away from victory.
