George Worker and Pukekura Park go together like hot chips and sauce.
But Otago's Travis Muller broke up the partnership just in time to help his side hold on for a tense 10-run win in New Plymouth last night.
The experienced Central Districts opened clouted 125 and had seemingly put the Stags on course to overhaul the Volts' total of 212 for eight in a rain-reduced 24 over contest.
The home needed 16 off the last over with Worker on strike and in blistering form.
But Muller must like his chips with vinegar. The right arm seamer struck, removing the Stags' talisman and grabbing two more wickets in the over to complete his maiden list A five-wicket bag.
He finished with five for 34, and Matt Bacon's one for 23 from five overs represented outstanding value in the context of the game as well.
The 31-year-old Worker had played more or less a lone hand.
He combined with Josh Clarkson (30) in a 99-run stand for the fifth-wicket.
But the left-hander did most of the heavy hitting and scored the majority of those runs.
The former international averages more than 50 in list A cricket at the ground and showed just how dangerous he can be again with a flurry of boundaries.
He popped the ball over the rope six times and across it another 11 times. There's 80 runs right there.
But it was not enough.
Otago's most experienced duo got the Volts off to a rapid start.
Hamish Rutherford cashed in on the power play, swatting five sixes and five fours on his way to a whirlwind 62 from just 27 deliveries.
Neil Broom played a supporting role, with 69 from 47 deliveries.
Rutherford's demise in the ninth over brought a reprieve.
The home side was able to claw back more momentum with the early departure of Nick Kelly for one and Josh Finnie for 11.
Broom and Mitchell Renwick (41 not out) put on a valuable 40 for the fourth wicket.
Joey Field ripped through the middle and lower order. The 19-year-old right arm medium pacer claimed four for 42 in what was just his second appearance for Central.
Worker established a deep foothold at one end during the chase but the wickets kept tumbling at the other.
Bayley Wiggins (11), Ben Smith (4) and the dangerous Tom Bruce (3) all perished inside eight overs.
Bruce got a cracker from Muller. It nipped back and hit the top of middle.
Otago has two wins from two games and sits in third place on the competition standings.
Canterbury also made it two wins from two games. In a rain-reduced 40-over affair in Rangiora, it posted 236 for five and held on to beat Wellington by 31 runs.
In Whangarei, Northern Districts overhauled Auckland's total of 202 for seven with four wickets in hand to protected its unblemished record as well.
