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Timing is everything in cricket.

And Otago secured victory just in the nick of time at Saxton Oval yesterday.

Central Districts was set an improbable victory target of 402 but was bowled out for 240.

That mammoth victory tally, though, seemed at least possible at 91 for one at lunch.

But the innings started to unravel when Otago left arm wrist spinner Michael Rippon struck a couple of crucial blows after the break.

The Stags slumped to 147 for six and with the collapse all chance of victory was lost.

But there was still an opportunity to save the game and Tom Bruce did his part with an undefeated knock of 77.

Time was disappearing thanks to a couple of dogged efforts with the blade.

Otago captain Hamish Rutherford gave the ball to part-time left arm spinner Anaru Kitchen and he came through with two for two to wrap up the innings with just over 10 overs remaining.

The win has lifted Otago (28 points) to second place on the Plunket Shield standings.

Canterbury smashed Wellington by 314 runs and leads the competition with 40 points.

Wellington is on 23 points and Central Districts is on 19 points. Auckland and Northern Districts have not played yet due to Covid-19 alert level restrictions.

Earlier, the Volts must have thought carefully about whether to bat on yesterday morning.

Otago had a tidy lead of 353 runs but ultimately decided it was more comfortable with 400 or so.

Rippon rattled on some quick runs. His 35 not out got Otago through to 422 for seven declared, setting

the Stags a daunting target.

The home team made a brisk beginning. But opener Greg Hay was brilliantly run out for 18 by Nick Kelly.

Bayley Wiggins (41) and Brad Schmulian (44) kept the foot to the floor, though.

The Volts needed a breakthrough and Rippon delivered. He spun one past the defence of Schmulian.

The wicket triggered a collapse.

Wiggins tried to pull a deliver from Matt Bacon and had his off stump bend backwards.

Dane Clever attempted to loft Rippon over the rope but only managed to drag it on.

The home team collapsed from 108 for one to 147 for six.

The task of saving the game fell to Bruce, the last recognised batsman.

Joey Field batted for nearly two hours until

Rippon (three for 85) trapped him lbw for 17, but No 11 Ray Toole batted for nearly half an hour.

He saw off 20 deliveries, then played an immaculate defensive shot with one small flaw — he missed the ball and was bowled.

The Volts did well to win with an understrength attack.

A first innings century by Dale Phillips and hundreds for Rutherford and Mitch Renwick helped set up the win. Rippon took six wickets in the game.