Otago takes second spot with bonus point win

OTAGO has leapt up the oneday competition standings following a comfortable victory against Canterbury at the University of Otago Oval yesterday.

Hamish Rutherford powered the Volts to a formidable total of 309 for eight, with a careerhigh oneday innings of 154.

Canterbury’s meandering chase lacked desperation, and petered out at 247.

Opener Jack Boyle topscored for the visitors with 71, and Henry Shipley was threatening with 46 not out. He looks to be a good allrounder in the making.

The 62run win lifts Otago into second place, and midway through the tournament that is a good spot to be in.

It was not that long ago the side suffered a humiliating 193run loss to Wellington.

But Otago has struck some rich form with bat. Rutherford plundered his second oneday hundred this season and had tremendous support from Anaru Kitchen.

Kitchen has featured in some vital partnerships of late, and combined with Rutherford in another cracker.

The pair added 111 from 83 balls for the fourth wicket.

Rutherford actually played a relatively measured innings. But once he reached 100 he decided to have a little fun. He thrashed four sixes and four fours to move from 100 to 150 from the next 18 deliveries he faced.

It was quite some hitting and put his side on track for a 300plus score.

He was eventually brilliantly caught at long on by Will Williams. By then he had easily eclipsed his previous highest oneday score of 126.

But if the fielder was half an inch shorter it would have sailed over his outstretched arms for another maximum.

Kitchen played an instrumental role as well, with 53 from 47 deliveries. He emerged from Rutherford’s shadow every now and then with a crisp boundary. But he was also content to feed Rutherford the strike.

Shipley was the best of the Canterbury bowlers, with four for 60. He picked up the wickets of both Rutherford and Kitchen.

For Otago, legspinner Michael Rippon can feel pleased with his day. He spun the ball past the bat for two stumpings and helped run out Stephen Murdoch with an accurate throw from the outfield.

Matt Bacon sealed the bonus point when he trapped No 11 Theo van Woekom lbw and with just one run to spare.

Bacon finished with three for 47.

At the Basin Reserve, Devon Conway topscored for Wellington with 94 to help his side reach 278.

That proved too many for Auckland, which capitulated to be all out for 158.

With the bonus point win, Wellington has cemented its place at the top of the standings.

Otago’s next match is a topofthetable clash against Wellington in Dunedin on Saturday.

At Seddon Park, in Hamilton, the Northern Districts pair of Brett Hampton and Joe Carter combined to set up a winning tally against Central Districts.

Carter made an undefeated 102 and Hampton 95 as Northern reached 313 for seven.

Dean Foxcroft whacked 120 not out to lead the chase. But Central was restricted to 288 for nine and lost by 25 runs.