It has been another successful twenty20 campaign for the Otago Volts.
A second final in as many years shows not only the quality of the players we have down here, but also the hunger to get back to the lucrative Champions League and have another crack at the big time. After winning 10 on the trot last summer and also exceeding expectations at the Champions League, it would be fair to say confidence was high leading into this campaign. It was nice to beat Canterbury in our opening game.
Even with all our success in the past, we didn't want to rest on our laurels and getting the campaign off to a solid start was crucial. Our third game against Northern Districts was our first taste of defeat in the HRV Cup in a year. It was a hard pill to swallow. We were outplayed but, like any good team, we bounced back a week later by beating the Knights, this time in Hamilton. That game was as important for our campaign as it was for VJ's [Otago coach Vaughn Johnson] blood pressure.
Having three games abandoned due to rain was frustrating and it could have been detrimental to our chances of making the playoffs. Going into the last round we needed to beat Central Districts convincingly if we were to finish top of the table and advance straight to the final. We didn't want to rely on other results.
Central Districts had not won a game in the competition, so we were confident. The weather gods were not kind to us again. Instead of whacking the white pill around the University Oval, we found ourselves in the changing room playing flankers at the breakdown and praying that Canterbury could knock over Northern. Our prayers were answered by a resurgent Canterbury team.
We were certainly challenged throughout the round robin. It wasn't like last season where everything seemed to go our way. We were tipped up twice. I think you learn more about yourself as a team when things aren't going as well as you would like. It was nice to have a reality check and to put some bad performances behind us before the big one tonight.
Our depth has really been tested. Brendon and Nathan McCullum, Jesse Ryder, Jimmy ''the Yeti'' Neesham, Hamish Rutherford and Neil Wagner have been unavailable at one time or another. All these players are so valuable to our team's success. We knew we had to step up as individuals in their absence. James McMillan has been our best-performed bowler.
He has taken 11 wickets at 16.45 at an economy rate of 6.46. Jimmy bowls most of his overs up front where he is only allowed two guys out on the boundary, making his economy rate even more outstanding. His ability to swing the ball back into right-handers and cramp them for room has been a real asset to our bowling attack. He seems to be getting better with age and will be a real key for us.
After a tough beginning, Jacob Duffy has come on beautifully in our last couple of games.
''Dr Death'' got us home against Wellington and his ability to hit yorkers has become an important part of our team's success. Still only a teenager, Jacob has a real ability to step up at important times and hopefully tonight will be no different.
Ryan ten Doeschate and Aaron Redmond are eighth and 10th respectively on the top run-scorers list. They are also both striking at more than 140 in the competition, which is world-class. Redmond's explosive batting power as well as experience will be crucial for us leading into such a big game.
Ten Doeschate is the ultimate overseas professional. He is worth every cent Otago pays him and probably more. It's not just what he offers on the park but also off it. He is a veteran of the twenty20 game and the experience and knowledge he brings into the changing room cannot be replaced.
''Tendo'' is also the captain of our team's ''tired XI''. The guy has sickening appreciation for a bit of shut-eye.
It's no secret the importance tonight's game brings. Win and we book ourselves another trip to the Champions League. We surprised many with our performances there last year and would love to go back for another crack at that title this year. With the addition of Jesse Ryder, we feel as though we could give that tournament a real crack. Secondly, it's nice to bring titles back to the proud province of Otago.
For many years we struggled on the domestic scene but have seen a real turn around in fortunes over the last six to seven years. The support we get down here in the deep south is second to none and the players would love to give something back to the community.
- Nick Beard.
