The Auckland Aces not only retained the Ross Dykes Memorial Trophy, they stayed unbeaten in The Ford Trophy as they made it two bonus point wins on the bounce, for an outright early lead in the competition.
At the other end of the spectrum, or points table, at least, the Otago Volts remained at the bottom of the table and are now the only winless side after two rounds.
Dale Phillips in action against his former team | PHOTOSPORT
The Aces set the Volts a target of 233 at Auckland’s Kennards Hire Community Oval on Thursday, after Volts captain Luke Georgeson had won the toss and bowled.
Despite an opening stand of 64, the Volts eventually got the wickets tumbling, and bowled well collectively.
So far, so good.
Big seamer Jarrod Mckay (above, PHOTOSPORT) got his one-day career best - a tidy 3/25, and the more aggressive Matt Bacon (below, PHOTOSPORT) 3/43.
Left-arm spinner Ben Lockrose chimed in with 3/33 and if Cam Fletcher (46), playing his 100th List A match, and vastly experienced Jimmy Neesham (35) hadn’t fought back with a 60-run stand for the fourth wicket, the Volts might have been tasting victory at the end of the day.
But the Aces’ attack showed that, on their turf, anything the Volts could do, they could do better.
Captain Adi Ashok would end the day with 4/34, including an unconverted hat-trick, after wrapping it up; allrounder Simon Keene (below, PHOTOSPORT) picked up 3/26.
But arguably big left-arm paceman Ben Lister wrought the most damage as he sent down his deceptive left-arm missiles for a tight 3/24, including both openers cheaply.
The problem for the Volts was little in the way of partnerships or runs in between all that, with Llew Johnson doing his best to muscle up some runs and top-scoring with just a knock of 35, batting at six.
Lister came back and got him, as well.
Losing four wickets in seven balls - Troy Johnson, Georgeson and Ben Lockrose all departing scoreless; hammered all but the last nail in the coffin and, as the last wicket fell on 137, the Aces collected a 95-run win in just 31 overs and the bonus to boot.
The Volts will want to just wipe the slate clean and start again when they head home for their first home match of the season, against the Stags at Uni Oval, in this Monday's third round.
2025/26 ROUND TWO
30 October 2025
Kennards Hire Community Oval, Auckland
Auckland Aces defeated Otago Volts by 95 runs
Bonus point win
STATCHAT spotlight on Cam Fletcher
- 100 List A matches (all teams)
- Runs: 1,984
- Average: 33.62
- High Score: 86
- Catches: 109 + 13 stumpings
NEXT ROUND (Round 3, Monday)
- Northern Districts v Wellington Firebirds at Seddon Park, Hamilton
- Otago Volts v Central Stags at University of Otago Oval, Dunedin
- Canterbury v Auckland Aces at Hagley Oval, Christchurch
POINTS (after Round 2 of 10)
- Auckland Aces 10
- Northern Districts 5
- Canterbury 5
- Central Stags 5
- Wellington Firebirds 4
- Otago Volts 0
All images: PHOTOSPORT
