SBS Bank Otago Volts 143 (Ryan ten Doeschate 63, Michael Bracewell 32, Matt Henry 3-19, Andy Ellis 1-21) beat Canterbury Kings 142-7 (Henry Nicholls 56, Neil Broom 28, Dirk Nannes 2-19) by one run at Hagley Oval, Chirstchurch.
The SBS Otago Volts got up for their first win of the competition at the expense of the Canterbury Kings, who have been defeated twice at their new-look home in Hagley Oval.
Batting first in brilliant sunshine, Otago made 143, a score that felt short of a competitive total. Matt Henry (3-19) took care of Iain Robertson (0) and Derek de Boorder (1) early to have the Volts 2-12 in the third. Aaron Redmond made 25 from 29 to help get things going, but Micheal Bracewell was the only other top order batsman to meaningfully contribute with 32.
Ryan ten Doeschate took control of the innings with 63 from 36 balls, including three fours and four sixes. He was the last manout in the last over, but he received little support from the lower order as the Volts scrambled to 143.
The Kings lost Ronnie Hira for a duck in the first over, but Neil Broom had his foot on the accelerator from the start, striking 28 from 19 balls to get things underway for the Kings. Dirk Nannes was working up real pace witha miserly economy rate but the Kings were able to score from the other bowers and seemed to be doing it easily at 107-3 in the 16th.
But Nannes bowling Brendon Diamanti for 25 prompted the Kings to lose their way, with Andy Ellis going for two and Henry Nicholls and Carl Fletcher struggling to get the runs needed. Nicholls was caught by Redmond from Nannes for 56 from the second to last ball, leaving Fletcher to face the last ball with three needed for the win. He got the ball away but could only score one run, being run out by a long way coming back for the tying run.
The Volts were relieved to register in the W column, while the Kings will get a chance at revenge straight away, with the teams meeting again at Dunedin's University Oval on Thursday.
