The match between the Otago Volts and Central Stags took a number of twists and turns before ending in a draw at Nelson Park in Napier.
Otago made all the early play with a mammoth first innings total of 534 and then rolling Central for 190 and sending them back in.
However, the rest of the match belonged to the home side with Peter Ingram hitting 135 to lead the fight back.
Half centuries from Brad Patton (59), Tim Weston (82) and Bevin Griggs (56) helped Central through to 517 – leaving Otago a target of 173 in the final session.
Michael Mason and Ewen Thompson then ripped through the Volts line up reducing them to 125 for eight but there weren’t enough overs to compete what would have been a remarkable win. The Stags spearheads both sit in MVP top ten with Thompson in second place and Mason sixth.
Mason finished with four for 63 with Thompson taking three for 58.
The first innings points were enough to see Otago move into fourth spot on the table with Central one off the bottom in fifth.
Day 3: Central Stags 361 for five lead Otago Volts by 17 runs
It was a much better batting display from the Central Stags on day three after being put back into bat by Otago late yesterday at Nelson Park, Napier.
Opener Peter Ingram lead the fight back with 135 at the top of the innings. Brad Patton was solid with 59 and Tim Weston remains unbeaten on 77.
The Stags have a slender lead of 17 going into the final day with a five wickets in hand.
Sam Wells picked up another two wickets to go with his five in the first innings.
Day 2: Central Stags 9 without loss trail Otago Volts by 335
The Otago Volts are in firm control of the match at the end of day two after taking their total through to 534 then rolling the Central Stags for 190.
Shaun Haig only managed three runs this morning to finish on 153 with Neil Broom kicking on to reach a mammoth 196.
Ian Butler contributed 45 with wicketkeeper batman Derek de Boorder making an unbeaten 70 before the declaration came.
Ewen Thompson was the best of the Stags bowlers taking five for 73 – his fourth five wicket haul.
The Central reply got off to a disastrous start with Peter Ingram back in the pavilion without a run on the board and they never recovered. Seth Rance put us some resistance with a battling 71 but lacked support.
Volts seamer Sam Wells did most of the damage taking five for 26 with Butler and Nick Beard picking up two apiece.
Central have been put back in and will resume on nine without loss.
Day 1: Otago Volts 357 for two batting first
The Central Stags may well be regretting their decision to bowl with the Otago Volts putting on 357 on day one at Nelson Park in Napier.
The Volts lost two early wickets before Shaun Haig and Neil Broom combined to put on an unbeaten partnership of 302 for the third wicket.
Both batsmen are on career best scores with Haig lashing 19 boundaries in his 150* and Neil Broom hitting 18 boundaries and a six in his 159*.
Both batsmen will continue on tomorrow and look to extend their total.
Ewen Thompson and Jeremy Kuru took one wicket each.
