2023/24

ROUND SIX

OTAGO VOLTS defeated CANTERBURY by 9 wickets

Molyneux Park, Alexandra

8-10 March 2024

POINTS IN THIS ROUND:

Wellington Firebirds: in progress

Canterbury: 4

Auckland Aces: in progress

Central Stags: in progress

Otago Volts: 16

Northern Districts: in progress

SELECTED MILESTONES

Chad Bowes - 4000 first-class runs

Mitch Hay - 1000 first-class runs

Sean Davey - fourth first-class five-wicket bag

Luke Georgeson - maiden first-class five-wicket bag

All images: PHOTOSPORT

SNAPSHOT:

Canterbury's Plunket Shield concerns grew as the Otago Volts snatched a nine-wicket outright inside three days, for their first win of the first-class season.

First-class cricket returned to Molyneux Park for the first time in a year. The Volts had headed into the near-neighbour round without a win from five rounds, and second-to-last on table. Canterbury, last season's runner-up, remained in fourth spot despite a hard loss in this game, but left with the Volts breathing down their neck in a congested mid-table - and moreover, missing out on the opportunity to gain ground on the teams above them, now with just two matches to go. For Canterbury captain Cole McConchie it came with the sting of a rare king pair against his name.

DAY ONE

Fresh off an epic effort to avoid defeat in Dunedin, the Otago Volts had their red-ball mojo back as they headed to one of their alternate first-class grounds, Alexandra's Molyneux Park in Central Otago.

All six teams were playing against their near neighbours in the sixth of the eight rounds which meant Dean Foxcroft and his men were hosting their northern neighbours Canterbury, who sat one rung ahead of them on the table, in fourth, after what had been a largely luckless and frustrating red-ball season for the red-and-blacks.

That frustration wasn't going anywhere soon, starting as soon as Foxcroft won the toss and sent them in.

By lunch, Canterbury was already six down for just 106 runs on the board, with Luke Georgeson (5/60) having dismissed the top three en route to achieving his maiden first-class bag after the break - to go with his maiden Ford Trophy bag just weeks earlier.

It was clear this was going to a fast-moving game, Canterbury rolled for 144 in just 38.5 overs.

Sean Davey | PHOTOSPORT

By tea, the Volts were already three down in the reply, and went to stumps at 167/7 as Canterbury quick Sean Davey returned fire in the seamer-friendly conditions.

DAY TWO

Both teams took the maximum four bowling bonus points (and zero for batting, neither side reaching 200 in their first dig) with the Volts also taking a 44-run first-innings lead.

Davey had relished the opportunity to snare another bag and finished with 5.41 off his 18 overs, Michael Rae chiming in with a three-for in support, against his old teammates.

Canterbury’s second innings wasn’t particularly productive, either — dismissed for 180, with captain Cole McConchie suffering a rare king pair: a golden (first-ball) duck in both innings.

Georgeson (2/23) had got him both times, but the Volts paceman would settle for just the two second innings wickets as the Volts' senior player Jacob Duffy took command of the attack with 4/36.

Jacob Duffy | PHOTOSPORT

Canterbury’s last four wickets fell in the last session before Otago openers Jacob Cumming and Dale Phillips (25 not out) took the hosts through to stumps without trouble.

Heading into Day Three, the Otago Volts would require just a further 101 runs for an outright victory, with an ocean of time, at 36 for no loss.

DAY THREE

The Volts wrapped up their coveted egg-breaker for the Plunket Shield season, chasing down their target for the loss of only one wicket.

Jacob Cumming had fallen victim to Michael Rippon just short of a half century at 102/1, after a century stand with fellow opener Dale Phillips.

Dale Phillips | PHOTOSPORT

Phillips would finish the job in a hurry, with back-to-back boundaries in the 31st over to clinch victory, unbeaten on 70* off just 93 rocks. The Volts had won with five and a half sessions to spare.

POINTS TABLE after 6 of 8 championship rounds

Wellington Firebirds 80

Northern Districts 67

Central Stags 58

Canterbury 48

Otago Volts 43

Auckland Aces 29