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Jamie How notched up a half century and Ross Taylor hit 23 not out to steer the Central Stags to a four wicket win over the Otago Volts at University Oval in Dunedin.
The Stags kept the Volts to 121 for nine and recovered from 62 for four to reach their target with one and half overs to spare.
Michael Mason, Jacob Oram, Seth Rance and Kieran Noema-Barnett all picked up two wickets for Central with Noema-Barnett the most economical going for only five an over.
Opening batsman Brendon McCullum hit 28 while first drop Neil Broom top scored with 38 as Otago collapsed from 41 for one to be 97 for eight.
A quick 12 runs from Warren McSkimming ensured the visitors would need just over a run a ball to win.
Stags Captain Jamie How got the run chase off to a flyer, belting 50 off 36 but the other top four batsmen all failed leaving it to the experience duo of Ross Taylor and Jacob Oram to get them home.
Oram, who is seven in the HRV Cup MVP, smacked 22 off 15 with Taylor there at the end to seal the win.
It was a vital victory for the Stags who leap frog the Otago Volts into second spot on the points table with only one match remaining. The Otago are back in fourth and will need a big win over the Auckland Aces in the final round if they are to have any chance of making the final.
