ROUND 10
SUNDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2020
OTAGO VOLTS beat AUCKLAND ACES by 210 runs
• University of Otago Oval | Dunedin
The Volts produced one of their largest ever one-day victories (by runs) to shock top qualifiers the Auckland Aces in the last round of the regular season.
A Neil Broom century (104 off 111) followed by a spectacular Michael Rippon five-for (a career-best 5-21 for the unorthodox spinner) routed the Ford Trophy Grand Finalists, their win by 210 runs the third highest in the Volts' List A history.
It was also their biggest ever win at Uni Oval - the record being 222 runs at Alexandra. Moreover, it ensured they squeaked into the third qualifier spot on net run rate, just, as they pipped Northern Districts at the post in the tight race for the playoffs.
Rippon not only claimed a List A best bag, he helped in the run departments with an unbeaten 48 off just 26 balls at the death to help set up the Volts' imposing 354 for six, before ripping through the Aces for just 144 to hand them their heaviest defeat.
Lockie Ferguson was back for the Aces | PHOTOSPORT
After a cautious start, the Volts got cracking with Nick Kelly blasting a 23-ball 34 in a 54-stand with Mitch Renwick (33).
Broom's entrance in the eighth over provided a further 43 runs with Renwick before the key fourth-wicket stand of 136 off 116 balls between Broom and Josh Finnie (69 off 55) took the game away from the visitors.
Ton up for Neil Broom | PHOTOSPORT
Broom reached his 10th List A century and when he finally departed, Rippon and Dale Phillips just carried on with a snappy unbeaten 68-stand for the seventh to ensure a serious total.
In response, Jeet Raval produced a half ton fresh off his century in New Plymouth, but it would prove the Aces' only innings of any substance as Rippon embarked on his spree.
The Aces were already three down when he finally bowled the left-hander in the 19th at 103 for four, Rippon at one points sitting on spectacular figures of 5-5 as he dished out everything from wrong 'uns to flippers.
Captain Jacob Duffy meanwhile had struck early with the wickets of both Colin Munro and Craig Cachopa, and came back to wrap things up in just the 32nd over for 3-29, just enough to elevate the Volts from second to last on the tight table to third - last summer's beaten Grand Finalist nailing the last qualifying spot for Thursday's Elimination Final against Canterbury in Christchurch.
