Day four: Otago Volts 322-8 (Michael Bracewell 155*) and 232 drew with Auckland Aces 518-6.
The Otago Volts were reeling at 6-119 after the Aces bowlers had put them to the sword. Michael Bates (2-75) and Colin de Grandhomme (2-37) had removed the openers, sparking a mid-order collapse that would have consigned Otago to certain defeat if it had continued.
It was left to Michael Bracewell to knuckle down and play an uncharacteristically defensive innings to save his side, ending on 155 not our from 292 balls. He was helped by Sam Wells (20) and Derek de Boorder (27 from 98 balls), and together, they were able to steer their team to safety.
Ultimately, the result helped neither team, and handed the Plunket Shield to the Canterbury Wizards with one round remaining.
Day three: Otago Volts 232 (Aaron Redmond 74, Jesse Ryder 44, Michael Bates 4-36) and 37-0 (Neil Brpoom 15*)trail the Auckland Aces 518-6 (Jeet Raval 143, Tim McIntosh 116, Colin Munro 112*) by 286 runs
Centuries to Tim McIntoch (116), Jeet Raval (143) and Colin Munro (112*) has put the Auckland Aces in a powerful position heading into the final day of their Plunket Shield match against the Otago Volts in Dunedin.
The Aces declared at 518 for six on day three, giving them an overall lead of 286 runs. The Volts in reply are yet to lose a wicket though, with Aaron Redmond and Neil Broom seeing out the final 9.2 overs to be 37 without loss.
Raval and and McIntosh began the day still trailing the Volts by 145 runs, but they quickly made up the difference and began to build a lead.
The duo put on a whopping 246 runs for the third wicket, with both brining up tons in the process. Raval was the first to reach the milestone, his knock coming from 204 balls. McIntosh followed not long after, facing 113 balls.
Even after their wickets fell the Volts would still not get a reprieve, with Colin Munro rubbing alt in the wound with a blistering century, highlighted by nine fours and six sixes. After just 66 balls he too raised his bat, while Colin de Grandhoome had looked enroute as well with an unbeaten 65 before the declaration was made.
The Volts will now have to hang on for the final day, while the Aces will have 95 overs to take 10 wickets for the outright win.
Day two: Otago Volts 232 (Aaron Redmond 74, Jesse Ryder 44, Michael Bates 4-36) lead the Auckland Aces 87-2 (Jeet Raval 46*, Tim McIntosh 28*) by 145 runs
The Auckland Aces made steady progress on day two of their Plunket Shield match against the Otago Volts, though rain saw only 35 overs bowled.
In response to the Volts 232 on day one, the Aces began the day at seven for two, having lost Martin Guptill and night watchmen Michael Bates last night. However the recovery mission began strongly this morning, with Tim McIntoch (28*) and Jeet Raval (46*) taking their side through to 87 with no further loss.
They’ll resume tomorrow trailing by 145 runs, after Aaron Redmond continued his fine form with the bat this season, top-scoring for the southerners with 74.
The veteran opener had help from Jesse Ryder (44) and Bradley Rodden (26), but the rest of the batting line-up contributed little else. Captain Derek de Boorder chipped in with 29 towards the end, but regular wickets saw the Volts fall for less than 250.
It was the Aces pace attack which did the bulk of the damage, with Michael Bates (4-36) and Matt Quinn (3-61) combining for seven wickets.
Weather permitting, play will resume at 10am tomorrow at University Oval.
