The Canterbury Wizards took the ten wickets required today to record an outright win over the Otago Volts at MainPower Oval in Rangiora.
An opening stand of 124 gave Otago a glimmer of hope but the wicket of Leighton Morgan for 65 and then opening partner Greg Todd two overs later for 67 sparked a collapse that saw them lose six wicket for 87 runs.
Warren McSkimming and Neil Wagner resisted the inevitable with a fighting 88 runs partnership for the eighth wicket. McSkimming’s 70 was the highest by an Otago batsman in the match and Wagner’s 41 came at better than a run a ball.
All of the Canterbury bowling attack contributed with Andrew Elllis returning the best figures of three for 37. Shane Bond and Leighton Burtt picked up two each to hand the Wizards the 115 run win.
The win puts Canterbury second on the table with ten points and is already a vast improvement on last year where they only managed to clock up four for the season.
Day 3: Otago Volts 65 without loss trail Canterbury Wizards by 406 runs
The Canterbury Wizards are in a commanding position at the end of day three against the Otago Volts at MainPower Oval in Rangiora.
Starting the day on 195 for seven the Volts took their total through to 235 largely thanks to a rear-guard 41 from Neil Wagner before he became Shane Bond’s fourth Victim.
Pace bowlers Andrew Ellis and Corey Anderson were the other Canterbury bowlers amongst the wickets collecting two each.
In form batsman Peter Fulton struck 77 to go with the first innings score of 172 with Shanan Stewart hitting 65.
Corey Anderson made and unbeaten 40 at the end and shared a sixth wicket partnership of 66 with captain Kruger van Wyk before the declaration came, leaving Otago the target of 470.
Openers Leighton Morgan (32*) and Shaun Haig (33*) have the Volts off to a solid start and will resume tomorrow with Canterbury keen to take the ten wickets required for the outright win.
Day 2: Otago 195 for seven trail Canterbury Wizards by 245 runs
Canterbury are in a strong position on day two after taking their score through to 440 and then reducing Otago to 195 for seven on day two at MainPower Oval in Rangiora.
Peter Fulton was in sublime touch, hitting 172 for Canterbury including 17 boundaries and three sixes.
Sam Wells was the best of the Volts attack taking five for 75.
The Otago reply started well enough with a solid second wicket stand taking them through to 86 but they lost their way when Leighton Morgan was dismissed for 54 losing their next six wickets for 109 runs.
Number three batsman Greg Todd made 51 with Derek de Booder unbeaten on 24.
Strike bowler Shane Bond did the most damage taking three for 43.
Day 1: Canterbury Wizards 329 for five batting first
The Canterbury Wizards have the upper hand at the end of day one after scoring 329 runs against Otago at MainPower Oval in Rangiora.
Otago may well regret the decision to bowl first as Canterbury openers Rob Nicol and Michael Papps shared a 70 run partnership for the first wicket. Papps was the aggressor hitting a brisk 51 from 52.
Nicol then combined with Peter Fulton to put on 132 for the second wicket before Nicol went for 75.
The Otago bowlers pulled things back slightly in the afternoon session with the wickets of Todd Astle (5), Shannon Stewart (27) and Corey Anderson (35) but Fulton continued on and will resume tomorrow on 114 not out – his ninth First Class ton.
Sam Wells returned the best figures for Otago of two for 52.
