SBS Otago Volts 369 all out and 139 all out (Derek de Boorder 23, Hamish Bennett 4-43, Andy Ellis 2-10) beat Canterbury 210 (Peter Fulton 37, Neil Wagner 5-76) and 216 (Henry Nicholls 59, Neil Broom 58, Jacob Duffy 3-57) by 82 runs at Mainpower Oval, Rangiora.
The SBS Otago Volts picked up the last seven Canterbury wickets for just 34 runs on day three, with Neil Wagner picking up a five wicket bag. Ronnie Hira could not add to his overnight 100*, falling early to Mark Craig, caught by Hamish Rutherford. Backed up by Bradley Scott with 2-24 from his nine overs, Wagner stormed through the middle and lower order to finish with 5-76.
The Volts second turn at bat did not go to plan however – their lead after both sides first innings was 159, but they could only manage 139 in their second dig. Hamish Bennett was rewarded with 4-43, including Hamish Rutherford for a duck in the second over, but all the bowlers contributed to putting pressure on the Volts, including Andy Ellis (2-10), Ryan McCone 2-34), and Logan van Beek 2-34).
Set 299 for the win Canterbury ended day three on 92-2 after losing both openers cheaply with Peter Fulton (34) and Neil Broom (58) at the crease. Ultimately Canterbury couldn’t find the big innings they needed to reach their target, as spinners Mark Craig (2-74) and Aaron Redmond (2-5), along with seamers Wagner (2-56) and Jacob Duffy (3-57) got their team home, with the Volts winning by 82 runs.
Canterbury fall to third on the Plunket Shield table, but the Volts remain in last place for now.
DAY TWO: SBS Bank Otago Volts 369 all out (Michael Bracewell 73, Aaron Redmond 71, Mark Craig 65, Hamish Bennett 3-68) lead Canterbury 176-3 (Ronnie Hira 100, Peter Fulton 37) by 193 runs at Mainpower Oval, Rangiora
Ronnie Hira scored his maiden first-class hundred at Mainpower Oval today - following on from his dashing form in the Georgie Pie Super Smash, Hira has transformed his game to an opening bat, not only in the short form, but now in the long.
Curbing his aggressive tendencies (somewhat), Hira took 124 balls to bring up the milestone, before losing his wicket charging down to Mark Craig, with Hamish Rutherford taking the catch in the deep.
His partnership of 120 with Peter Fulton was the mainstay of the Canterbury innings, but they still sit 193 behind, with seven wickets remaining.
Earlier, Arron Redmond (73) and Michael Bracewell (71) built on their overnight scores, with the latter bringing up his half century.
Brendon McCullum played freely for 33 for 44 balls before being caught by Neil Broom trying to hit Todd Astle out of the park. Down the order, Mark Craig scored a quick 65 from 76 calls, to help his team through to 369 all out.
Hamish Bennett was the pick of the home team’s bowlers, with 3-68.
DAY ONE: SBS Bank Otago Volts 117-1 in 32 overs (Aaron Redmond 59*, Michael Bracewell 32* Andy Ellis 1-29) at Mainpower Oval, Rangiora.
Only 32 overs were possible in Rangiora on day one thanks to the rain. SBS Bank Otago Volts ended the day on 117-1 with skipper Aaron Redmond still at the crease after making his half century, along with Michael Bracewell on 32*.
In the damp conditions with a grassy look to the pitch, you’d be forgiven for thinking this would be a seamer’s paradise, but the Otago batsmen looked largely at home.
Hamish Rutherford missed out, making 14 from 25 before being caught by keeper Fred Anderson after Peter Fulton had thrown the ball to Andy Ellis.
Redmond and Bracewell made steady progress to stumps and ended the day on 117-1. With both men looking comfortable and Brendon McCullum waiting in the wings, the Volts will be looking to make a big score and put the heat on Canterbury from the start.
