Otago Volts 327-9 in 50 overs (Iain Robertson 76, Hamish Rutherford 73, Ryan ten Doeschate 57, Andy Ellis 3-45) lost to Canterbury Wizards 329-6 in 49.2 overs (George Worker 82, Peter Fulton 52, Tom Latham 50) by four wickets at University Oval, Dunedin
The runs flowed in bright sunshine and great conditions at University Oval as the Otago Volts posted 327 in their 50 overs after a 129 run first wicket partnership. It wasn't enough as the Canterbury Wizards put on a big opening stand of their own and got home with four balls to spare in a superbly timed chase.
Iain Robertson and Hamish Rutherford made 129 for the first wicket before Matt McEwan broke through in the 20th over, getting Robertson caught by Dean Brownlie for 76. Rutherford carried on until the 29th over, when he was caught by Tom Latham from Ryan McCone for 73. Derek de Boorder (50) and Ryan ten Doeschate (57) pushed on through the middle and late stages, before the Wizards took a flurry of wickets in the last over, by which time the damage had been done.
Worker (82) and Latham (50) got their team off to a flier. The Volts bowlers all took punishment as all the visitors' batsmen contributed, with Fulton making his 52 from just 34 balls, and Dean Brownlie making 49 from 36. The run rate required was still over eight for the Wizards heading into the final 15 overs, but Henry Nicholls and Andy Ellis batted sensibly to get their team home and take the points.
