Otago's hopes for the New Zealand Under-19 tournament this year received an encouraging boost with good early season form displayed during the region's trial game played at Alexandra's Molyneus Park over the weekend.

The national tournament is in Auckland in December.

An impressive 85-run opening run partnership between Stephen Brown (92) and Alistair Collie (32) set the platform for an aggressive day's batting on Saturday, Jarrad Waldron's team posting a daunting 354/5 declared.

Waldron scored an imposing century in the middle of the innings, posting a 119-run partnership with Brendan Domigan (43). Henry Bates completed proceedings with a belligerent 42 not out.

In tougher conditions on Sunday, it drizzled throughout, Jordan Sheed's side progressed to 197/6 before play was called off mid-afternoon. Sheed top scored with 69 and Joel Bennett was 68 not out at the close. Joel Seddon had the pick of the bowling figures with four for 24 off 12 overs.

The training squad chosen at the end of the match is:

Jordan Sheed, Stephen Brown, Alistair Collie, Jarrad Waldron, Brendan Domigan, Henry Bates, Nic Turner, Simon Murley, Mathew Harvie, Tim Geeves, Joel Seddon, Michael Ross, Richard Cooney, Nick Morrison, Joel Bennett, Ben McCormack, Mathew Adair, Daniel Ramsay, Eric Standfield.

© CricInfo