Otago's up-and-down beginning to the Ford Trophy took another dive yesterday.
The Volts slumped to a 123-run loss to Central Districts at Pukekura Park.
In-form Otago seamer Jacob Duffy did his part with a stunning five-wicket haul to help dismiss the home team for 256.
But that target proved to be well out of reach.
The Volts collapsed to be all out for 133.
It is the Stags’ second heavy win against the Volts in the campaign. They recorded a monster nine-wicket win in Dunedin in round one and got the better of the batting line-up again yesterday.
Hamish Rutherford’s lean run stretched out for another match. The captain got a leading edge on five. Dale Phillips (8) and Llew Johnson (0) could not get going either.
In fact, neither could Josh Finnie (9), Michael Rippon (5) or anyone other than Glenn Phillips and Max Chu.
Glenn Phillips was on debut for the Volts and looked like he was batting in some different game entirely, right up until he skied a catch on 34.
Chu chipped in with 27 and Matt Bacon thrashed four boundaries in an 18-run cameo at the end of the match.
The Volts’ decision to leave out Dean Foxcroft would have raised a few eyebrows. The 24-year-old averages nearly 45 in the format, so that was an interesting call.
Seth Rance and Doug Bracewell grabbed three wickets apiece for Central. They bowled well, but batter Will Young made the biggest difference.
He struck 128 from 113 balls to carry his side through to a good tally on a tricky surface.
He was particularly successful against Otago’s three-pronged spin attack of Rippon, Glenn Phillips and Ben Lockrose.
Josh Clarkson (42) and Tom Bruce (34) provided some good support for Young.
Otago had its moments with the ball. Duffy ripped through the top order and finished with five for 33 — it was his fifth list A five-wicket bag.
He has been in imperious form this summer, with 30 wickets across the Plunket Shield and Ford Trophy.
In the other games, Canterbury cruised to an eight-wicket win against Auckland in Rangiora.
Ish Sodhi and Henry Shipley grabbed three wickets apiece to help dismiss the Aces for 162. Chad Bowes anchored the chase with 85 not out.
Wellington opener Rachin Ravindra scored 105 and took three wickets to go a long way to helping his side to beat Northern Districts by 50 runs at Cobham Oval in Whangarei.
An honourable mention also goes to Ben Sears, who took four for 41 to help bowl out ND for 220.
Ford Trophy
Pukekura Park
Central Districts
B Schmulian lbw b Duffy 17
D Cleaver c G Phillips b Duffy 12
W Young c G Phillips b Duffy 128
L Taylor c Rippon b Duffy 0
T Bruce c Rae b Rippon 34
J Clarkson c Finnie b Rae 42
D Bracewell c G Phillips b Rippon 1
A Patel lbw b Rippon 0
B Tickner c D Phillips b Rae 2
S Rance c sub (Gibson) b Duffy 6
R Toole not out 0
Extras (1b, 4lb, 8wd, 1nb): 14
Total (all out, 44.3 overs): 256
Fall: 1-25, 2-30, 3-33, 4-120, 5-205, 6-208, 7-208, 8-219, 9-236, 10-256.
Bowling: J Duffy 9.3-0-33-5 (3wd), M Bacon 7-1-28-0 (1wd), B Lockrose 5-0-39-0, M Rae 8-0-46-2 (1wd, 1nb), M Rippon 10-1-69-3, G Phillips 5-0-36-0 (1wd).
Otago
H Rutherford c Cleaver b Rance 5
L Johnson c Bruce b Bracewell 0
D Phillips b Rance 8
G Phillips c Bracewell b Toole 34
J Finnie lbw b Rance 9
M Rippon c Taylor b Bracewell 5
M Chu c Bruce b Patel 27
B Lockrose c Cleaver b Toole 5
J Duffy c & b Tickner 7
M Bacon c Taylor b Bracewell 18
M Rae not out 7
Extras (1lb, 7wd):8
Total (all out, 25.4 overs):133
Fall: 1-5, 2-14, 3-21, 4-41, 5-52, 6-67, 7-75, 8-87, 9-119.
Bowling: D Bracewell 7-0-38-3 (2wd), S Rance 7-2-29-3 (3wd), R Toole 6-0-35-2 (2wd), B Tickner 5-1-22-1, A Patel 0.4-0-8-1.
Result: Central Districts won by 123 runs.
