SBS Bank Otago Volts 255 all out in 49.4 overs (Aaron Redmond 60, Neil Wagner 42, Michael Bracewell 38, Andrew Mathieson 4-59) lost to Devon Hotel Central Stags 257-6 in 49.1 overs (Kruger van Wyk 114*, Dane Cleaver 74, Neil Wagner 4-32) by four wickets at University Oval, Dunedin.
Kruger van Wyk and Dane Cleaver’s late fightback for the Devon Hotel Central Stags got their side home, chasing down an SBS Bank Otago Volts side inspired by Neil Wagner with the bat and the ball.
After losing Sam Wells and Hamish Rutherford, bowled by Doug Bracewell and Kieran Noema-Barnett respectively, Aaron Redmond (60) and Michael Bracewell (38) put on 93 for the third wicket to get the Volts on track.
After Bracewell became Noema-Barnett’s second victim, Jesse Ryder returned to the side after injury to make a solid 34 from 40 balls before being caught by Jamie How from Andrew Mathieson.
The Volts then lost quick wickets to leave them in danger of a below par score before Neil Wagner (42) and Bradley Scott (25) put on a show to get their side to 255, before Wagner departed with two balls remaining to end the innings.
In reply the Stags were in all kinds of trouble at 3-11 then 5-60, with a fired up Neil Wagner running rampant. He bowled the in-form George Worker for a duck in the third, followed up by Jamie How then Will Young to rip the heart out of the Central Districts top order.
All looked lost until skipper Kruger van Wyk and Dane Cleaver came together for a 112 runs for the sixth wicket, a partnership that turned the game.
The pair brought the Stags back to parity and then in sight of a win, before Wagner struck to remove Cleaver for a fine 74 with 85 still needed in 12.4 overs.
Van Wyk was joined by Doug Bracewell (27*) and put the foot down, striking 16 fours in bringing up a fine maiden ton from 108 balls, then pushing on to 114 not out, getting his side home comfortably in the end with five balls to spare.
The Stags remain top of the table, while the Volts are third after seven rounds played.
