Otago Volts 277 all out in 49.4 overs (Jesse Ryder 115, Michael Bracewell 67, Kane Williamson 3-40) lost to SKYCITY Northern Knights 282-6 (BJ Watling 83*, Kane Williamson 75, Neil Wagner 3-67) by four wickets at Seddon Park, Hamilton
There was last over drama at Seddon Park as the SKYCITY Northern Knights' BJ Watling and Jono Boult chased down the Otago Volts' score with one ball to spare, after Jesse Ryder had lifted his side with his second century in two games.
Jesse Ryder's second consecutive century was the backbone of the Volts' innings. Trent Boult had bowled superbly at the start to remove Hamish Rutherford for 17 and danger man Ryan ten Doeschate for a duck, before Ryder and Michael Bracewell combined for 96 runs for the fourth wicket. Jimmy Neesham contributed a rapid 26, before Ish Sodhi, Scott Kuggeleijn and Kane Williamson cleaned up the tail. No-one could stop Ryder completing his ton, which took his side to a respectable total from a tentative start.
The Knights' run rate required hovered at just over six as Joe Carter (33) and Kane Williamson accumulated, after Daniel Flynn went for one in the second over. When Carter was stumped by Derek de Boorder from Nick Beard for 33, BJ Watling continued steadily with Williamson, until the latter went for 75 to a spectacular Neesham catch from Nick Beard's bowling. Corey Anderson hit a breezy 34 from 28, before Neil Wagner made him the first of his three quick wickets. The Knights needed 43 from the last five overs with Watling and Jono Boult in the middle facing some tight bowling and fielding, before Boult hit out with a string of boundaries. Six were needed from the last over, but ten Doescate put Boult down from the third to last ball of the innings, and Neesham was unable to prevent Watling hitting the second to last ball for six to take the win in a thriller.
