Perhaps a draw has never been more satisfying for Otago.
The Volts found themselves in trouble after the opening day of their Plunket Shield match with Auckland but rallied through two fine centuries.
Auckland posted 467 on its home track at Eden Park Outer Oval. In reply, Otago was struggling at 177 for four despite a run-a-ball 100 from Hamish Rutherford.
The test opener was in fine touch but it was rookie Brad Rodden (118) who stole the show. In just his second first-class match, the Carisbrook-Dunedin right-hander battled his way to a maiden ton helping Otago through a very tricky period.
Volts coach Vaughn Johnson described it as the most satisfying hundred he had seen in 20 years of coaching.
''Brad has had a pretty tough year and he has forced his way into the side through some good performances with the Bs,'' Johnson said.
''He took a couple of wickets, scored a fantastic hundred and took an excellent catch which was a turning point at one stage. It was just a real thrill and great to see.''
When the 25-year-old joined Sam Wells at the wicket, Otago's innings was teetering. The pair guided the side through to stumps without further loss and added 152 in a fabulous partnership.
When Wells was dismissed for 79, Rodden combined with Derek de Boorder to add 62 and Mark Craig chipped in with 13.
All the while, Rodden made steady progress towards his maiden century and brought it up with a four through midwicket after nearly five hours of batting.
It was perfectly timed from the team's point of view. It was the last delivery from which Otago could score batting bonus points and the shot ended up being worth one competition point.
While the game was drawn, Otago was in the hunt for an outright.
Auckland was 187 for seven in its second innings with a modest lead of 218. Had Otago being able to wrap up the innings quickly, it would have been well-placed to push for the win.
Gareth Hopkins stood in the way, though. He defied Otago's effort with a fine undefeated knock of 116 and the game was called off at tea with Auckland 310 for eight.
No 9 batsman Michael Bates did his part as well, stonewalling with eight runs from 105 balls.
''I thought we had a real sniff when we had them seven down this morning. But, to be fair, Auckland batted particularly well from there on in on a wicket which was benign and really unresponsive.''
Otago (62 points) picked up three bowling and four batting bonus to close the gap on Canterbury (69 points), which remains at the top of the competition table.
With three rounds remaining and a maximum of 60 points still up for grabs, the tournament is still wide open.
Otago's next match is against Central Districts in Nelson beginning on Friday. The Volts will lose the services of Neil Wagner and Hamish Rutherford, who will join the New Zealand test team for the series against India.
Otago can expect all-rounder Jimmy Neesham to return but Johnson said it was unclear whether Nathan McCullum would be available.
Northern Districts stunned top-of-the-table Canterbury in Gisborne yesterday, APNZ reported.
Given almost the entire day to attempt a chase of 384, it seemed as though the leader would shut up shop at Harry Barker Reserve.
But it crumbled to 73 all out inside 37 overs, as Ish Sodhi warmed up for the Indian test series with career-best figures of five for 29.
Northern Districts compiling 482 in the first innings. With days two and three interrupted by rain, a pair of declarations gave both sides something to play for on the final day.
At McLean Park in Napier, Central Districts needed 87 to beat Wellington but, with only three wickets in hand, opted to take a defensive approach and fell 63 runs short at stumps.
