The Otago Volts coasted to a nine wicket win over the Wellington Firebirds in the Plunket Shield match at the Queenstown Event Centre.
The final Wellington pair added 13 runs this morning leaving Otago a run chase of 123 for outright victory.
It was comfortable in the end with the home team losing the solitary wicket of Leighton Morgan for 18.
Captain Craig Cumming and Shaun Haig both scored half centuries to guide their team to victory.
Cumming hit 53 off 94 with Haig a more aggressive 52 off 65.
The Firebirds will be regretting their decision to declare on day two for 391 with two set batsmen at the crease. The Volts went on to score 471 in 100 overs to give them the advantage that eventually lead the win.
The result doesn’t have any great effect on the points table with the Otago Volts still one off the bottom in fifth with Wellington sitting in second spot.
Day 3: Wellington Firebirds 190 for nine lead Otago by 110
The Otago Volts declared after lunch after putting on 471 for nine and have the Wellington Firebirds on the ropes at 190 for nine at the end of day three.
Neil Broom added 33 to finish on 136 with number eight batsman Sam Wells kicking on to reach 115 not out.
Well’s previous highest score was 29 with his maiden First Class ton coming off 168 balls and included 12 boundaries and a six.
Wellington quick Dewayne Bowden took four for 125 with nineteen year old Ill Tugaga taking three for 77.
Opener Josh Brodie continued his good form with 70 but the rest of the top order failed. Luke Woodcock was the only other player to contribute with 47.
Robbie Schaw and Andy McKay are the last remaining batsmen and will resume tomorrow.
Volts pace bowlers Neil Wagner took three for 54 with Antony Bullick taking three for 49.
Day 2: Otago Volts 247 for six trail Wellington Firebirds by 144 runs
The Wellington Firebirds added 135 to their overnight score before declaring on 391 for six at lunch.
The formidable total was largely thanks to a magnificent unbeaten century from debutant Stewart Rhodes.
Rhodes is from Orange in New South Wales and was selected from Wellington after a second successful season of club cricket. His 142 came off 212 balls and included 14 boundaries and two sixes.
He was well supported by young wicketkeeper batsman Joe Austin- Smellie who hit 40 not out.
Strike bowler Neil Wagner sneered four for 103 to record the best figures for the Volts.
In reply, Otago lost opener Leighton Morgan without scoring, Shaun Haig for 12, Greg Todd for 3 and Craig Cumming for 40 to be teetering on 73 for four.
Neil Broom was left to hold the innings and found a willing partner in number eight batman Sam Wells. The pair have put on an unbeaten 99 run partnership to rescue the innings.
Broom brought up his seventh First Class century shortly before the close of play and will resume tomorrow on 103 with Wells who is unbeaten on 51.
The Firebirds bowling attack shared the wickets with Dewayne Bowden, Ill Tugaga and Luke Woodcock taking two each.
Day 1: Wellington Firebirds 256 for four
The Wellington Firebirds got off to the worst possible start losing captain Matthew Bell first ball after he decided to bat on day one of the Plunket Shield match against the Otago Volts at the Queenstown Events Centre.
Neil Parlane then went for 18 with form batsmen Josh Brodie and Cameron Merchant resurrecting the innings with a 94 run partnership for the third wicket.
Merchant, who is averaging over 55 for the season, was out for 42 with Brodie continuing on to get 76.
Rhodes (64) and Woodcock (34) are the unbeaten batsmen and will resume tomorrow with the score on 256 for four.
