Cricket Win keeps Otago's playoff hopes alive

Hamish Rutherford
Hamish Rutherford
A fine century from Hamish Rutherford and a five-wicket bag from Sam Wells have helped keep Otago's playoff prospects alive.

The Volts beat Auckland by 43 runs in a rain-affected match in Invercargill yesterday.

Rutherford whacked 108 from 116 deliveries and combined in an Otago-record opening stand of 165 with Aaron Redmond (87).

Hard-hitting left-hander Jesse Ryder provided the finishing touches with 78 from 45 deliveries to help the Volts reach an imposing 332 for six, a ground record at Queens Park.

Rain reduced both the target and the available overs, leaving Auckland chasing 279 from 39 overs for the win.

Wells removed both openers - Anaru Kitchen for eight and Tim McIntosh for 29.

He also picked up the wickets of the dangerous Craig Cachopa for 14 and Colin de Grandhomme for 11.

Auckland had slumped to 116 for six when Donovan Grobbelaar tried to hit his side out of trouble with 54 from 39. The task, though, was just too mammoth and he holed out. He combined with Jono Sole (24) and Michael Bates (34) to add some much-needed respectability to the scoreline, though. Auckland was eventually bundled out for 235.

Wells finished with a career-best five for 41 from eight overs and Rutherford was just shy of his best one-day score of 110.

The record first-wicket stand Rutherford shared with Redmond eclipsed the mark of 154 set by Andrew Hore and Rob Lawson against Wellington in 2001-02.

For Otago the win must have come as a relief. The Volts had lost their previous three games which had all gone down to the last over.

The province also badly needed the competition points. The win lifted Otago to 10 points with two round-robin matches remaining.

Central Districts also has 10 points but, crucially, Otago has closed the gap to Wellington (12) and Auckland (12). Northern Districts and Canterbury lead the competition with 18 points apiece.

Otago plays Auckland at Eden Park Outer Oval on Sunday and a win would go a long way towards securing a playoffs spot.

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