The SBS Bank Otago Volts consolidated their spot at the top of the Georgie Pie Super Smash standings with a comprehensive seven-wicket win against the Mighty Ape Wellington Firebirds in Dunedin.
The visitors posted a middling total of 139 for six which proved perhaps 20 runs light of a more competitive total.
Experienced campaigner Neil Broom and hard-hitting right-hander Anaru Kitchen combined in a stand of 105 for the first wicket which helped seal the Volts' third win from four games.
Kitchen (44 from 42) played the aggressor, while Broom (70 not out) waited until the 14th over before showing his hand. He smashed left-arm spinner Luke Woodcock down the ground for a massive six.
The next shot sailed to the boundary at extra cover, and he added a second six, this time over long on.
The Volts lost three wickets in the final run to the line, but were always in control with Broom slicing a boundary down to third man to finish the job with an over to spare.
No one in the Firebirds' line-up really looked "in" on a pitch which held up and was not always easy to score on.
Makeshift opener Alecz Day used up a lot of deliveries at the top of the innings. He middled one towering six but, other than that, his 49-ball stay netted just 38 runs, which put the pressure on the remainder of the batting order.
Craig Cachopa brought some energy to the innings. He dispatched a full toss for six, and ran well between the wickets. But he carved a cut shot straight to Broom at backward point on 18.
Tom Blundell helped with 20 runs from 16 deliveries, but the Firebirds' total always looked lean.
Bradley Scott gets one through. Images: Photosport
Otago seamer Warren Barnes has impressed since transferring south from Auckland. He bowled with good pace and his one for 17 from four overs was a good return for a tidy effort. Experienced left-armer Bradley Scott's first over was costly, but he claimed two late wickets to finish with three for 25.
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