Otago is staring down the barrel of a first-innings deficit two days into its Plunket Shield match against Northern Districts in Hamilton.
The Volts stumbled through to stumps yesterday on 277 for six, still 187 runs in arrears.
However, Jesse Ryder (68) and Craig Smith (16) will resume this morning and look to build on their 42-run partnership.
The pair came together after Derek de Boorder and Josh Finnie fell cheaply to 37-year-old seamer Graeme Aldridge in the final session.
Ryder was typically fluent, blasting five fours and a couple of sixes on his way to 68 from 57 balls.
At the other end, Smith dug in until stumps, facing 54 balls and blunting the Northern attack.
All the Volts' top-order batsmen made starts, including Aaron Redmond and Hamish Rutherford, who put on 77 for the first wicket.
Rutherford (54) and Michael Bracewell (50) struck half-centuries, but no-one kicked on.
Northern started the day seeking quick runs and added 137 to its overnight total, before declaring on 464 for eight. After toiling for 28 overs without any luck on day one, new cap legspinner Rhys Phillips snared four wickets in just 4.3 overs yesterday.
His impressive haul comprised the wickets of Black Caps wicketkeeper BJ Watling, Ish Sodhi, and Mitchell Santner, as well Anton Devcich for 62, ending the hard-hitting batsman's 32-ball blitz, which included nine fours and two sixes.
The Carisbrook-Dunedin player was the pick of the Otago bowlers, finishing with four wickets for 98 runs from his 32.3 overs.
However, Northern's declaration denied him the opportunity to pick up a five-wicket bag.
• Wellington will resume on 263 for three on the final day of its match against Auckland.
Led by Michael Papps (136 not out), Wellington leads Auckland by 257 runs and will look for quick runs this morning to put its bowlers in a position to win the match.
Earlier, Auckland declared on 350 for seven to earn a six run lead after its first innings.
• In Nelson, Central Districts will need to bat all day to at least salvage a draw against Canterbury.
Chasing 419 to win, the Stags will resume on 46 for two this morning, still needing a further 373 runs.
Earlier, Neil Broom struck 123 to set up Canterbury's second-innings declaration on 305 for five.
