It would have been a tough watch but Otago secured a draw with some disciplined batting against Northern Districts in Whangarei on Saturday.
The Volts batted for 58 overs to make the game safe and only lost the one wicket on the last day.
They declared on 172 for three, setting Northern Districts a target of 40 for victory.
But it was target in name only. Both teams had already agreed to call the game off.
Brad Wilson was undefeated on 62 from 275 balls. He batted for nearly six hours.
Anaru Kitchen eventually got out to a bouncer but not before he had seen off the previous 190 deliveries for just 39 runs.
Jimmy Neesham plundered 27 from 26 before his side declared, ending the game.
Otago had resumed on 55 for two, trailing Northern Districts by 78 runs.
The home side would have been in the hunt had it secured a few quick wickets.
The season-ending draw consigned Otago to last place in the standings, with one win, five losses and four draws.
Auckland was at the other end with six wins, three draws and one loss which came in its last game against Central Districts.
Auckland captain Michael Bates announced his retirement following the game.
Aces Wicketkeeper Brad Cachopa eclipsed Derek de Boorder's record for most dismissals in a Plunket Shield season, which had previously stood at 44.
His stumping of Will Young saw him go one better.
Central offspinner Ajaz Patel finished as the season's top first-class wicket-taker with 43 victims at 33.69.
Northern's Bharat Popli was the top-scorer with 1149 runs at an average of 67.58.
In the other match, Canterbury beat Wellington by seven wickets to finish in second place.
