Hamish Rutherford blasted a century yesterday to help Otago break a six-game losing-streak in one-day cricket.
Shortly after posting his seventh one-day hundred, he chipped the ball over cover for a single to seal a nine-wicket win against Northern Districts at Seddon Park.
Before he grounded his bat at the other end, the Volts (180 for one) were already celebrating a much-needed victory.
Otago's previous win in the format was against Wellington in Dunedin on December 6.
Its well documented lean period may have life left in it yet. But yesterday perhaps offered a glimpse of the future.
While it was a couple of experienced hands in Rutherford (102 not out) and Neil Broom (50 not out) who were there at the end to make sure the victory was completed, the young bowling attack had already done the grunt work.
Co-captain Jacob Duffy took four for 29 in a terrific spell. He picked up the wickets of both openers to put the home side on the defensive early.
While Duffy has been around for a long time, you tend to forget he is still just 24 years old and has plenty of cricket ahead of him.
He was backed up brilliantly by Warren Barnes and Matt Bacon. They picked up two wickets apiece.
"It definitely started with the bowling,'' Otago coach Rob Walter said.
"They have a strong batting line up with Dean Brownlie at No6 and Brett Hampton at No7, so we knew early wickets was going to be the key.
"The guys bowled extremely well and we fielded excellently. There was some poor cricket on their part and we had them four down in the first 10 overs.
"That was a great start and we managed to keep the pressure on.''
Northern Districts slumped to 62 for five but rallied with Daryl Mitchell (76) and Hampton (33) adding 75 for the sixth wicket.
But Duffy came back and mopped up the tail.
Northern's modest total of 179 was perhaps a good 80 runs short of a par score. But the way Otago batted, the home side may have needed another 100.
Rutherford has been in great touch this season. He scored a first-class century against Northern Districts earlier this month which perhaps rates as one of his best.
He was at it again yesterday and up against an impressive attack including Black Caps Trent Boult and Neil Wagner - New Zealand's premier red-ball bowlers.
Broom proved a valuable ally at the other end with an unbeaten 50. They combined in an unbroken stand of 134. Rutherford timed his run to his century beautifully. He brought up the milestone just before the target had been eclipsed.
"That was exactly what we needed. We needed our experienced heads to get the job done and get it done convincingly without a stutter. They absolutely did that,'' Walter said.
Yes they did. Otago's next assignment is against Wellington at the Basin Reserve on Wednesday.
In New Plymouth, Canterbury beat Central Districts by five wickets. The home side was dismissed for a modest 163. Will Williams shone with four for 34, and Tom Latham anchored the chase with an unbeaten 73.
Former Otago Batsman Michael Bracewell almost dragged Wellington through to victory with a tremendous knock of 120 from 127 deliveries at Eden Park Outer Oval.
Auckland had posted a competitive 276 for nine. Wellington looked on track when Bracewell and Jimmy Neesham (63) were at the wicket.
But Neesham's departure sparked a rapid collapse.
Bracewell was last out with his side on 263.
