The experienced Otago seamer nabbed three wickets to help the Volts post a five-wicket win against Central Districts at a sweltering McLean Park in Napier yesterday.
The win keeps the Volts in the hunt for a playoff spot.
Bacon has played a key role in keeping them in contention.
The 31-year-old right-armer has claimed 19 wickets at an average of 18 in the campaign.
He is the leading wicket-taker in the Ford Trophy.
"Like, it's nice getting some individual accolades," Bacon said.
"But the only thing that I'm really concerned about is our win column.
"If we can get another one next week, I think that puts us in a pretty good spot for playoffs.
"Momentum's a funny thing. I mean, we've got momentum in our favour now, so hopefully that can just take care of itself."
Bacon put his success down to some tweaks he has made to his action.
"Yeah, look, I've made a few technical changes, just like my front arm pass and some stuff that I've been doing with my bowling arm.
"I kind of lost my wrist action in the midst of the last game, so I've been doing some technical work to get my wrist back.
"I got a bit of swing today, which was nice. It got me a couple of wickets."
Bacon (three for 24) and left-arm quick Andrew Hazeldine (three for 31) teamed up to roll most of the Central Districts’ powerful top order for the same amount of yoghurt raisins you usually find in your toasted museli in the morning — hardly any.
The Stags slumped to 31 for five on the way to 162 all out.
Bacon struck first. Dane Cleaver skipped up the wicket but lofted the ball to Jarrod McKay.
The in-from Jack Boyle could not get going either. He feathered an edge through to the keeper.
Hazeldine trapped Tom Bruce lbw next ball to give himself an opportunity at a hat trick.
Curtis Heaphy saw off the immediate danger but was bowled in Hazeldine’s next over.
That delivery swung in and crashed into the middle stump halfway up. It was emphatic.
Bacon grabbed his second when Josh Clarkson swung wildly and got an edge to second slip.
Bacon bowled unchanged for seven overs and Hazeldine got through eight.
The Volts pressed their advantage through McKay. He lured Will Clark into a false shot in his first over.
Opener Brad Schmulian watched helplessly from the other end. The best he could do was keep his wicket intact and hope for some support.
His 78 from 117 saved some blushes. And Jayden Lennox’s 34 was also valuable.
Bacon and Hazeldine starred, but McKay’s two for 34 was worthy of a merit badge as well.
Dale Phillips got the modest chase off the snappy start. He loves a good drive over and through the covers.
His early scoop shot was less convincing but got to the rope following a close encounter with the keeper’s glove.
The intent to get the game finished quickly was obvious.
It is how Phillips has batted all season and he has had a strong campaign. He was run out for 58 and Otago lost some cheap wickets at the end.
But his partnership with Jamal Todd of 77 ensured the chase would end in smiles.
In the other games,Wellington beat Auckland by seven wickets in a rain-affected match at the Basin Reserve, while Canterbury edged Northern Districts by three wickets at Seddon Park. That match was also weather-affected.
CENTRAL DISTRICTS
D Cleaver c McKay b Bacon 3
B Schmulian c Gibson b Bacon 78
J Boyle c Chu b Hazeldine 1
T Bruce lbw b Hazeldine 0
C Heaphy b Hazeldine 0
J Clarkson c Phillips b Bacon 4
W Clark c Hazeldine b McKay 13
B Randell c Phillips b McKay 7
J Lennox c Gibson b Foxcroft 34
T Findlay c Hazeldine b Foxcroft 3
R Toole not out 4
Extras (5lb, 10w) 15
Total (all out, 45.4 overs) 162
Fall: 1-6, 2-8, 3-9, 4-18, 5-31, 6-59, 7-79, 8-136, 9-143, 10-162.
Bowling: M Bacon 7.4-2-24-3 (4w), A Hazeldine 10-1-31-3 (3w), J Gibson 4-0-18-0, J McKay 10-0-34-2 (1w), B Lockrose 8-0-26-0 (1w), D Foxcroft 6-0-24-2 (1w).
OTAGO
D Phillips run out (Boyle) 58
J Todd c & b Findlay 31
L Johnson lbw Toole 25
D Foxcroft b Clarkson 8
L Carter not out 21
M Chu b Toole 2
J Gibson not out 1
Extras (7lb, 11w) 18
Total (for 5 wkts, 29.5 overs) 164
Fall: 1-77, 2-114, 3-137, 4-137, 5-151.
Bowling: B Randell 4-0-29-0 (1w), R Toole 7.5-1-30-2 (2w), T Findlay 6-1-32-1 (4w), J Lennox 7-0-39-0 (1w), J Clarkson 5-0-27-1 (2w).
Result: Otago won by five wickets.
