Otago cannot win the Plunket Shield but it can take some consolation in a gutsy match-saving innings of 155 not out from Michael Bracewell.
The 23-year-old played what was an uncharacteristic knock but exactly what was needed on the last day of his side's four-day match against Auckland at the University Oval.
Initially, he was forced to shelve his wonderful array of attacking strokes and really knuckle down.
Everything got a dead bat. Otago had slumped to 119 for six and needed a further 116 runs to make Auckland bat again. Defeat seemed imminent.
But with Otago wriggling its way out of trouble, and Bracewell closing in on his fourth first-class hundred, he started playing a few more shots.
He brought the milestone up with a false stroke and gave an opportunity on 108, but his innings was otherwise flawless.
And with the help of Sam Wells (20), Derek de Boorder (27) and Bradley Scott (17 not out), Bracewell was able to get his side through to 322 for eight.
''Obviously, it is not as good a feeling as helping win a match but it is the next best thing,'' Bracewell said.
''No-one likes losing. To get out there and guts out a hard-fought draw is what everyone plays for when you can't win.''
Bracewell batted for more than 6 to deny Auckland. But this was a game which really had to be won not drawn if Otago was going to retain any hope of winning the tournament with one round remaining.
Canterbury cannot be overtaken and has won the tournament with a game to spare. Ironically, both Otago wins this season have come against Canterbury.
''The main goal is to win the Plunket Shield so that is a bit disappointing. That is what we turn out every year for.''
The Volts resumed on 23 without loss and with a big job ahead to save the match.
That job got harder when two of its most experienced players nicked out playing the sort of shots which will be required next month during the one-day campaign.
Neil Broom (32) went first. He swished at ball outside off and got a faint edge. Aaron Redmond followed shortly after. He got an inside edge and wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins did well to lunge suddenly to his left and pluck the ball one-handed.
Jesse Ryder could count himself a touch unlucky. He was lured into a drive and got a thick edge which flew to Tim McIntosh at first slip. The former New Zealand opener made a amazing catch, leaping high to his left and snaring the ball one-handed and with both feet off the ground.
A forlorn Otago went to lunch at 119 for five, trailing by 167. Auckland kept the pressure on, bowling eight consecutive maidens - three before lunch and five after.
The mistake had to come. Sam Wells, who will probably miss the next match with a side strain, provided it, driving the ball straight to Jeet Raval.
Bracewell was joined at the wicket by de Boorder, who is always good in a crisis, and the pair painstakingly negotiated over after over. The 50-run partnership took an hour and a-half and chewed up more than 23 overs.
Otago went to tea at 193 for six with Bracewell unbeaten on 62 and de Boorder resolute on 17. They still had 33 overs to defend if their side was going to escape with a draw.
Just before the new ball was available, de Boorder lost concentration when he tried to sweep Raval only to be bowled middle stump.
Scott, an experienced campaigner, picked up the challenge and Otago continued to deny Auckland. He never looked like getting out.
''It didn't look so good [at one stage] but I knew that Braddles [Scott] can definitely hold a bat and even a bit more than that. So I was pretty happy with him out there to help us through because he's an old head as well.''
