ROUND FIVE
OTAGO VOLTS v CANTERBURY
University of Otago Oval
7 November 2018
Result: Otago Volts won by 62 runs
It was an electrifying result for the Volts and opening batsman Hamish Rutherford as their Ford Trophy rebound continued at home at University of Otago Oval.
A solid bonus point win over Canterbury lifted the southerners to second in the table, usurping the Auckland Aces who had meanwhile dipped against competition leaders the Firebirds.
It was the first time this summer that the Volts had backed up, and for Rutherford another impressive and well paced century this season to back up his match-winning effort against ND in the second round.
This time it resulted in a formidable career best 154 for the 29-year-old as he set up the Volts’ tally of 309 for eight.
After reaching three figures, Rutherford’s last 50 flew off just 18 balls and he blazed away until the 43rd over and was just one run away from posting the Volts’ 250 by the time he finally departed — and it took a brilliant catch at long on from Will Williams to stop him.
Anaru Kitchen (53 off 47) was his wingman at five as he helped lift nup the run rate. The pair added 111 from just 83 balls for the fourth wicket.
Anaru Kitchen gave support. PHOTOSPORT
Canterbury's chase got a solid enough start at the top with opener Jack Boyle reaching 71, but despite an unbeaten 46 from Henry Shipley they couldn’t elevate with the same impetus Kitchen and Rutherford had demonstrated.
Matt Bacon collected the final wicket in a three-fa as Canterbury found themselves all out for 247, with a couple of overs unspent. Shipley had a good all-round day with four for 60 but it will be back to the drawing board for Canterbury as they look to get their campaign urgently back on track.
Canterbury now heads north to Seddon Park to try to do that against a rejuvenated ND team while the Volts lie in wait for what promises to be a fascinating duel with competition leaders the Wellington Firebirds in Dunedin this Saturday.
