This time it was a classy Auckland outfit meting out the punishment.
Black Cap Martin Guptill and Glenn Phillips combined in a Auckland-record second-wicket stand to help their side to a formidable total of 310 for five in Lincoln yesterday.
The Volts went hard at the target but fell well short, bowled out for 213 in the 41st over.
The 97-run loss follows a 117-run defeat to Canterbury on Monday and a five-wicket loss to Wellington last week.
The Volts made the final last year but their string of poor results has left them anchored at the bottom of the standings.
Otago desperately needs a good result against Wellington tomorrow to revive its fortunes before the tournament goes into hiatus during the Super Smash competition.
The Volts started well. Jacob Duffy got rid of the dangerous Colin Munro (10) cheaply.
He had a swipe at short-pitched delivery and gloved it to the keeper. But that was the only success they enjoyed for nearly 40 overs.
Guptill and fringe Black Cap Phillips set about building a big total.
The pair put on 235. The stand eclipsed the previous mark of 218 set by Anaru Kitchen and Gareth Hopkins against Wellington in 2012-13.
Guptill got a gift on 94 — a half-volley right in the slot and he crunched it back over Dale Phillips' head for six to bring up his 27th list A century.
The celebration was fairly reserved. He had a quick embrace with his batting partner, who happens to be Dale’s older brother, Glenn.
Glenn Phillips brought up his century moments later.
He pulled a short delivery from Matt Bacon to boundary.
Another hug and back into it. The duo went on a hitting spree and the score climbed quickly, often in multiples of six.
There was some buffet bowling to help them along. But Guptill somehow managed to scoop a wide half-volley to a fielder on 117.
Phillips kept battering the attack. He moved from 100 to 150 in just 16 deliveries.
He started taking huge risks and they mostly paid off.
However, an attempted reverse sweep to a yorker from Nathan Smith got 10 for audacity but also got him bowled for 156.
It was a tremendous knock by the 22-year-old and it seems only a matter of time before he is afforded another international opportunity.
With Auckland looking to slog everything to Alpha Centauri, Smith picked up another two wickets in the over. It was a small consolation but also good reward for Smith who was easily the best of the Otago bowlers. He finished with three for 41.
Neil Broom (66) and Smith (43) were the best of the Otago batsman.
But the chase never gained anywhere enough momentum to threaten the target.
In the other games, Canterbury held on to beat Northern Districts by one run.
It was dismissed for 283 in the 49th over and restricted its opponent to 282 for nine.
Central Districts posted its first win.
It beat Wellington by 29 runs after posting a total of 251 for eight.
Seth Rance starred for Central with four for 33.
