ROUND SIX
NORTHERN DISTRICTS beat OTAGO VOLTS by 66 runs
15 December 2020
University of Otago Oval, Dunedin
The Ford Trophy has a new leader after Northern Districts overtook Canterbury as the one-day championship wrapped up its pre-Christmas phase.
With six of the 10 rounds completed (and four big rounds still to come in February 2021) Northern Districts, Canterbury and the Otago Volts all remain in the box seats to make the top three for playoffs.
However, the Central Stags' first win of the campaign cost Canterbury the lead heading into the remission as the red and blacks stumbled for just the second time in their campaign.
At the same time, ND is hitting top gear — a repeat win over the Otago Volts propelling the northerners to a four-point lead on the ladder after three wins on the bounce.
ND's 243 after electing to bat proved more than enough to bag a bonus point win, even though none of their batsman got to fifty.
The Otago Volts simply suffered a disastrous start to their chase as their erratic season continued, five big wickets falling inside the first 15 overs - and then a tentative recovery by opening batsman Mitch Renwick (48; below) and Dale Phillips (35) halted when they were both removed with the scoreboard stuck on 107.
The Volts' tail managed to push that collective effort up to 177, but it was a field day for a tight ND attack with the wickets shared between Matt Fisher (a career best 4-34), allrounder Brett Hampton (3-30 off eight) and spinner Joe Walker (2-32 off 10).
The Ford Trophy will resume on Friday, 19 February 2021 in Queenstown, Auckland and Wellington. Before then, all six teams will contest the Dream11 Super Smash which will begin with defending champions the Wellington Blaze and Firebirds hosting the Auckland Hearts and Aces in a free admission doubleheader at the Basin Reserve on Christmas Eve.
Points after Round 6
Northern Districts 22 (points this round: 5)
Canterbury 18 (0)
Otago Volts 12 (0)
Wellington Firebirds 10 (0)
Auckland Aces 9 (4)
Central Stags 7 (5)
