ROUND 4 of 10
OTAGO VOLTS lost to CENTRAL STAGS by 108 runs
- Bonus point win -
30 October 2024
University of Otago Oval
Points: Otago Volts 0, Central Stags 5
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SELECTED MILESTONES
- Curtis Heaphy: Maiden List A century (142, previous best: 70)
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After two losses and a washout, the Central Stags leapt from last to fourth on the ladder courtesy of a big away win over the Otago Volts.
Sent in at Dunedin's University of Otago Oval on an overcast morning, the Stags quickly shook off their frustrations as their top order slathered on the runs.
Already Brad Schmulian and Jack Boyle has scored centuries this season, but in a losing cause.
Now, it was the talented 21-year-old Heaphy's turn, in an unchanged playing XI as the selectors kept the faith.
Heaphy had support from both in-form Schmulian and Boyle as the Stags powered to 233/2 in the first 39 or so overs.
Schmulian was typically busy with his run-a-ball 78, that included 10 boundaries and a six.
He shared a century stand with Heaphy as they put the first team hundred on the board for no loss of wicket, and went on to a partnership of 144, before Dean Foxcroft finally broke through against his old team in the 28th over.
But Boyle took over seamlessly, also reaching a half century, and sharing a parrnership of 89 with Heaphy for the second wicket - by which time the Stags were well in control.
CURTIS HEAPHY π―
β Central Stags π (@CentralStags) October 30, 2024
Our 21-year-old opener powers to his maiden List A century as we develop a big total in Dunedin!
Livescores + free stream at https://t.co/cbQyGGYUXj
π©π©π© #LOVETHESTAGS
π©π©π© #FORDTROPHY
π©π©π© #CURTISHEAPHY pic.twitter.com/NcuWMdlc7N
Heaphy batted deep into the penultimate over, almost making it to the final over of the innings before he was caught.
His landmark maiden knock was a big one, and well constructed, ultimately reaching 142, off 145 balls, with 10 boundaries and two sixes.
It was a toss win that utterly backfired on Volts captain Luke Georgeson, with the Stags in a position to attack through the latter stages even if they lost wickets.
They reached 330/7, Jake Gibson claiming 3/67 for the Volts who lost the bowling services of Andrew Hazeldine and Matt Bacon in the process, through injury.
The hometowners were in for a steep chase, but that didn't go to plan either, even after Thorn Parkes got them a strong start.
Thorn Parkes | PHOTOSPORT
Parkes has a good record against the Stags and would top-score for the host with a classy 59, but the Stags were busy zeroing in on his partners at the top.
The Volts had needed RPO seven from the outset, and regular wickets caused the equation to inflate to double figures.
Brett Randell stopped Dale Phillips on 14 in the seventh over, and when spinner and captain Jayden Lennox brought himself on for a spell, it resulted in the loss of Llew Johnson (27) at 96/2.
Parkes reached his 50, falling soon after to Josh Clarkson - but it was the return of big paceman Blair Tickner that really brought the wrecking ball.
Pouring all his energy into his heavy ball, he got the sought after wicket of Leo Carter for no score, and followed up with another useful scalp in Foxcroft to have the Volts 133/5.
Blair Tickner | PHOTOSPORT
So it was advantage Stags, again - and they quelled any thoughts of an Otago fightback by taking back-end wickets reguarly enough to pocket the valuable five points in just the 43rd over.
With last man Hazeldine unable to bat, the Volts' innings was completed at 222/9.
It wasn't their day, but they'll be looking to bounce back at the same ground on Sunday when they host the Wellington Firebirds in the last one-dayer ahead of the Plunket Shield.
The Stags meanwhile stay on the road, venturing to Rangiora for a big showdown with defending champions Canterbury.
