Our top-of-the-table Central Stags bounced back from a blip in Christchurch with a commanding 53-run victory over the Otago Volts in sunny Napier - a win that saw several sheets of stats rewritten and an entertaining day out for the thrilled home crowd.

At the end of it all, the swing king SETH RANCE led his side off the park with his maiden T20 five-wicket bag, while captain TOM BRUCE had also taken his career best figures (3-9).

Earlier, GREG HAY had batted throughout the whole 20 overs (dismissed on the last ball of the innings) for his second T20 half ton since his Dream11 Super Smash recall after a six-year absence in the format. His renaissance continues with a new career-best T20 high score of 76.

If that wasn't enough to ponder, Otago Volts captain Hamish Rutherford made a rare appearance at the bowling crease and took his maiden T20 wicket in his 160th match.

Hay's presence at the crease provided the perfect scenario for the Stags with his wily game suiting the sluggish conditions - after a week of heavy rain in Hawke's Bay.

Sent in by Rutherford on a sweltering afternoon, BAYLEY WIGGINS dominated the early scoring with an exciting cameo, but Hay was the man to bat through on this occasion and anchor his team for a good score in the conditions of 180/4.

He shared an 89-run stand with DANE CLEAVER who continued his good productivity against the Volts with a 32-ball 45 and notched his fifty off 42 balls - his third T20 half century, and second this summer.

In reply, the Stags turned on a classy bowling performance and blowtorched the Volts who lost their top four for single figures.

Rance picked up both openers to put himself on a hat-trick in just the third over, and then claimed number four Nick Kelly; added Anaru Kitchen in the 11th and came back to nail his first T20 five-fa at the death with the final Volts wicket to finish off the 17th and the game: 5-19 off 4.5 overs.

Bruce had also put himself on an unconverted hat-trick with Michael Rippon and Jake Gibson departing in the 14th and the crowd enjoying the traditional clapping in once again.

All this and ADAM MILNE, BLAIR TICKNER, DOUG BRACEWELL and JAYDEN LENNOX chiming in with support made for a tough day out for the Volts who, rather like the Central Hinds before them, fell victim to trying to force their shots on a slower wicket.

 

 

 

The Hinds will look to scrabble back from four consecutive losses in the women's league after a heavy seven-wicket loss to the unbeaten Otago Sparks.

Whilst two of those losses were heartbreakingly close, yesterday was one to file away in the experience vault for the team after a fine bowling performance from the collective Sparks unit put the side under pressure early.

The Central Stags and Hinds wish everyone a Merry Christmas and look forward to our home doubleheader in Palmerston North on 27 December - Fill the Fitz!

SCORES

Article added: Sunday 19 December 2021