The final Hawke Cup defence of the season for Bay of Plenty is underway at Bay Oval.
Challengers Southland won the toss and decided to bat first under overcast skies against an outstanding pace bowling group of Donovan Deeble, Brett Hampton, Tony Goodin and Sean Davey.
Deeble struck early with the ball, with Southland opener Rhuebyn Prattle nicking through to keeper Tim Clarke with just seven runs on the board.
Southland recovered well to reach 41-1 at drinks after the first hour's play but Davey struck soon after with Southland 55-2.
At lunch Southland have reached 71-2 off 26 overs at a run rate of 2.73.
As the weather deteriorates Southland have crawled to 126-5 off 54 overs at tea on day one of three. Off spinner Jono Boult has taken 2-11 off 9 overs after conceding six runs off his opening over with seamers Goodin, Deeble and Chris Atkinson nabbing one wicket each.
When bad light stopped play early Southland had reached 187-5 off 76 overs with Jason Domigan 73 not out off 140 balls.
Southland 187-5 (Jason Domigan 73*, Shaun Fitzgibbon 33; Jono Boult 2-40) v Bay of Plenty.