But that was Otago's reality yesterday. The Volts reached 327 for nine - a ground record at the University Oval for a one-day match, eclipsing the previous mark of 321 for five set by Otago against Central Districts in 2007-08.
The mark lasted just over three hours as Canterbury (329 for six) overhauled the massive total thanks to a superb chase.
Canterbury captain Peter Fulton provided the finishing touches with a clutch innings of 52 not out from 34 balls.
He had valuable support at the end from Andrew Ellis (21 from 17) after openers George Worker (82) and Tom Latham (50) had set a solid platform with a 97-run stand.
Dean Brownlie chipped in with 49 as well in what was an organised chase which never wavered.
The loss was heartbreaking for Otago.
It has lost its past three games in the last over and stand-in coach Nathan King said the disappointment was still raw.
''We batted really well and we had enough runs,'' King said.
''But at the end of the day we couldn't defend that total and that is really disappointing.
''It was a mixture of things, really. Our fielding certainly let us down and that put us under a bit of pressure, particularly when we didn't take a lot of wickets up front.
''We created pressure through the run rate but then let them off by not taking some opportunities that we should have taken.''
Spinner Nick Beard dropped a crucial catch in the 47th over. He was comfortably under the ball at midwicket but it just popped out.
Had Ellis been dismissed then it may have swung the game Otago's way.
Otago (four points) is in last place in the tournament with four round-robin matches remaining.
Its match against Wellington (six points) at the University Oval on Sunday is a must-win. Northern Districts leads with 13 points from Canterbury (11), Central Districts (10) and Auckland (10).
Earlier, Canterbury elected to bowl first on an oddly coloured pitch which suggested some seam movement.
But under that grey-looking grass was a fine batting strip and Otago made a rollicking start, helped along by some mixed bowling performances.
Fringe Volts middle-order batsman Iain Robertson took Aaron Redmond's place in the playing XI when the opener was ruled out with a knee complaint.
He was dropped from the second ball of the match but quickly declared his intentions, charging a delivery from Ryan McCone and whacking it down the ground for six.
It was the first of many lusty blows from the 31-year-old.
He also duffed his share of shots and his defensive repertoire appears limited. But that must be of little consolation to the bowlers when the ball is sailing over the rope.
Perhaps his most memorable shot was an extraordinary cut over backward point for six.
Hamish Rutherford also made a decisive start.
He unleashed a series of well-timed drives and trademark cut shots.
The pair combined in a stand of 129 runs and used up just 19.4 overs.
Robertson survived a caught and bowled opportunity on 68 but his luck eventually ran out when he picked out short cover on 76 from just 57 balls.
Otago maintained, rather than built on, the run rate and the wickets of Rutherford (73) and Jesse Ryder (18) helped Canterbury claw its way back into the game.
Rutherford slammed his bat into the ground in frustration after nicking out and the Otago Daily Times understands he has been cited for a breach of conduct.
Match referee George Morris said he could not comment.
Derek Boorder (50) provided a stabilising influence and did a good job up the order at No 4.
Ryan ten Doeschate, as he does, provided the muscle with 57 from 45.
Meanwhile, Auckland lost its lead in the competition when well beaten by Central Districts at Eden Park yesterday, APNZ reports.
Having sent CD in, Auckland found itself seeking 304 which would have kept it top after four rounds.
Central Districts opener Jamie How hit 156 off 139 balls, sharing a second-wicket record stand against Auckland of 142 with Dane Cleaver, who made 60.
Auckland's response never really got going. It lost five for 47 at one point and was dismissed at 190 for a 113-run defeat.
Only Anaru Kitchen, with 59, and tailender Matt Quinn, who hit 36, passed 30.
Northern Districts went top with a tight three-wicket win over Wellington in the capital after the home side was rolled for 154.
Former test seamer Mark Gillespie rocked ND early, finishing with four for 22 off 10 overs, but Daryl Mitchell's 52 got Northern home.
