Challenge Match - Zone 3
[Holder] Canterbury Country v [Challenger] Nelson
Mainpower Oval, Rangiora
Friday 29 - Sunday 31 January 2021
Nelson has beaten neighbours and traditional rivals Marlborough on the first innings at Horton Park in the final round of Zone 3 qualifying matches to earn the right to the first Hawke Cup Challenge of the 2020/21 summer, against reigning Hawke Cup holders and fellow Zone 3 Association, Canterbury Country.
Nelson last held the Hawke Cup in 2019, breaking a 22 year-drought for the historically formidable province when they successfully challenged Southland for the coveted silver trophy.
They were unsuccessful in their first defence that season, however, surrendering the Hawke Cup to fellow CD District (that year's Zone 2 champion) Hawke's Bay.
Previously, Nelson had last lifted the Hawke Cup in 1997.
Current holders Canterbury Country drew with Otago Country in the final defence last season to ensure they locked away the silverware for the winter.
A strong side in recent years, Canterbury Country will host Nelson at the same venue - Rangiora's Mainpower Oval - in the three-day Challenge match beginning this Friday, 29 January 2021.
Nelson and Canterbury Country previously met in the second round of this season's Zone 3 inter-district competition in December, in which Rhys Mariu, Joe Williams and Will Hamilton all posted centuries in their first innings total of 466/7 at Nelson's Marsden Rec, hosts Nelson reaching 146/6 in reply.
2020/21 HAWKE CUP SCHEDULE
29-31 Jan: Zone 3 Challenge: Canterbury Country v Nelson (challenger) at Mainpower Oval, Rangiora
12-14 Feb: Zone 4 Challenge (winner of above v winner of Zone 4)
26-28 Feb: Zone 2 Challenge (winner of above v winner of Zone 2 Furlong Cup)
12-14 Mar: Zone 1 Challenge (winner of above v winner of Zone 1)
