The Otago Volts didn’t win a match all season in last summer's Ford Trophy but have gone two from two in 2026/27 — and will head into the third of 10 rounds as joint leaders, after downing defending champion the Central Stags by 29 runs in Dunedin this evening.
Volts veteran Matt Bacon finished with 3/25 in a turbulent game, ending the Stags’ hopes of chasing down 234 with 2.1 overs to spare at University of Otago Oval.
With four fresh faces, the depleted Stags are yet to get a win as they return to Nelson's Saxton Oval for a big game against the Auckland Aces on Wednesday — the Aces also undefeated after two rounds, and sharing the early points lead with the Volts.
The Volts will remain in Dunedin for a southern derby against Canterbury on Wednesday and the Cantabrians could close the gap if they win well again, while the winless Wellington Firebirds will be looking to strike it third time lucky at the Cello Basin Reserve when they host Northern Districts.
Today's match had seen the Volts asked to bat first and, at 114/6 in the 28th over, their initial prospects did not look good.
But a late rally produced a 68-ball 66 for Ben Lockrose, his maiden half century after a previous best of 32 in 45 matches.
That was the Volts' only half century before they were all out with one ball left in the innings, Central's hulking young debutant Oscar Mabin finishing with 3/54 and the Stags' other paceman on debut, former Volts allrounder Jake Gibson, snaffling a tidy 3/29 against his old teammates.
Lockrose's finishing in a 10th wicket partnership of 67 with Bacon would ultimately prove the difference as the Stags struggled to find momentum early — and then crumpled under pressure at the death.
In between, captain Tom Bruce (top-scoring with 74) and first drop Brad Schmulian (47) ground out a century partnership for the third wicket.
Bruce, well out of his ground, had survived an attempted run out by keeper Thorn Parkes off Lockrose on 27*.
It was a hairy moment for both sides, but when a direct hit from Tom O'Connor ran out Schmulian some 10 overs later, the tide started to turn against Central who lost their last six wickets in the space of six overs.
POINTS AFTER TWO ROUNDS
9 AUCKLAND ACES
9 OTAGO VOLTS
5 CANTERBURY
4 NORTHERN DISTRICTS
0 CENTRAL STAGS
0 WELLINGTON FIREBIRDS
ROUND TWO RESULTS
Saturday 31 October 2026
Canterbury defeated Wellington Firebirds by 209 runs - bonus point win
Auckland Aces defeated Northern Districts by 4 wickets - bonus point win
Sunday 1 November 2026
Otago Volts defeated Central Stas by 29 runs