Just like that Otago are into third place and have taken control of their destiny.
Last month they looked defeated.
But a couple of gutsy efforts with the ball breathed some life back into the campaign.
And yesterday’s six-wicket win against an in-form Northern Districts has confirmed the Volts as a contender.
Jacob Duffy led the charge with the ball. His haul of three for 32 was instrumental in dismissing Northern Districts for a below-par 184 in Queenstown.
Luke Georgeson backed up from his maiden list A five-wicket bag in his past outing with two for 17 from seven overs, while left-arm spinner Ben Lockrose caused some problems as well with two for 32 from 10 overs.
There were a few too many extras. But that would be nit-picking.
Batting was not always easy, but Thorn Parkes stood out with an undefeated knock of 47.
You cannot overestimate his calming influence on a batting order which has been struggling.
Llew Johnson made a statement with 46 not out. His production has been on the light side, but his 91-run unbroken partnership with Parkes was critical.
Volts coach Dion Ebrahim said he was thrilled with the way his side has fought their way back.
"The bowlers set that up really well on what was a fairly good wicket," he said.
"They’ve been doing really well.
"We’ve managed to win some really tough games, so as we head into the final round of the competition we’re battle-hardened and we still have a number of players still to fire."
Those players still to fire are in the top order. But Parkes has been the banker in the batting line-up.
"He goes from strength to strength ... and this season he is finding a way to be successful in the Ford Trophy.
"He’s a natural competitor who works extremely hard at his game."
The Volts took charge almost immediately.
Andrew Hazeldine and Duffy produced quality opening spells.
Duffy got the initial breakthrough. Katene Clarke chopped on for a duck in the third over.
Georgeson helped tighten the grip. He got a wicket with his first ball.
Henry Cooper scooped a drive to Dale Phillips.
Georgeson followed up next over with the wicket of Joe Carter. The batter got a nice healthy edge to the keeper.
Jeet Raval held the innings together for a period. He forged a 76-run stand with Pete Drysdale (28) and added a further 40 with Brett Hampton (25).
But he perished for 78. Duffy skittled his off stump and got Kristian Clarke next ball with a rising delivery.
Hazeldine wrapped up the innings when he bowled Tim Pringle for 11. Georgeson (28), Jacob Cumming (26) and captain Dean Foxcroft (11) all got starts but could not go on.
Georgeson got a cracker from Matt Fisher and was bowled. Cumming fended at a short-pitched delivery from the right-arm pace bowler.
But Foxcroft threw his wicket away needlessly with a hoick which went straight up and was caught by the keeper.
The Volts had 67 on the board, so they had made a dent in the chase, plus Parkes was in next.
The 23-year-old left-hander has been the most consistent of the Otago batters in the campaign and was called on to get the innings back on track.
He lost a potential foil in Phillips, who was bowled for 12.
But Johnson played well and provided some late momentum to help Otago (22 points) secure the bonus point.
Northern (22 points) dropped to second place.
Canterbury (24 points) posted a 183-run win against Central Districts (17 points) at Hagley Oval to move to the top of the standings. Henry Nicholls (138) and Leo Carter (107) put on 209 for the third wicket to guide the home team to 349 for eight.
Auckland (20 points) edged Wellington (13 points) by four-wickets in a last-ball thriller at the Basin Reserve.
The home team posted 285 for eight. But Robbie O’Donnell struck 115 to help the Aces secure victory.
Otago’s final round-robin game is against Wellington in Queenstown on Sunday.
NORTHERN DISTRICTS
J Raval b Duffy 78
K Clarke b Duffy 0
H Cooper c Phillips b Georgeson 7
J Carter c Chu b Georgeson 4
P Drysdale c Johnson b Bacon 28
B Hampton c Chu b Lockrose 25
T Pringle b Hazeldine 11
K Clarke c Chu b Duffy 0
M Fisher c Foxcroft b Lockrose 8
E Schreuder c Cumming b Bacon 10
J Walker not out 1
Extras (1lb, 11w) 12
Total (all out, 48.1 overs) 184
Fall: 1-1, 2-26, 3-32, 4-108, 5-148, 6-148, 7-149, 8-158, 9-181, 10-184.
Bowling: J Duffy 10-1-32-3 (1w), A Hazeldine 8.1-1-31-1 (3w), M Bacon 9-0-48-2 (2w), L Georgeson 7-2-17-2, D Foxcroft 4-0-23-0, B Lockrose 10-1-32-2 (5w).
OTAGO
L Georgeson b Fisher 28
J Cumming c Cooper b Fisher 26
D Foxcroft c Cooper b Fisher 11
D Phillips b Schreuder 12
T Parkes not out 47
L Johnson not out 46
Extras (2b, 1lb, 14w) 17
Total (4 wkts, 39.1 overs) 187
Fall: 1-38, 2-66, 3-67, 4-96.
Bowling: K Clarke 9-2-45-0 (1w), B Hampton 7-0-28-0 (1w), M Fisher 9-1-37-3, J Walker 4-0-23-0, E Schreuder 3-0-18-1 (4w), T Pringle 7.1-1-33-0 (2w).
Result: Otago won by six wickets.
