Canterbury remains unbeaten after round four of the one-day Ford Trophy — the halfway point in the intense eight-round round robin ahead of the Finals.
Despite having had Canterbury in utter disarray at three down for just eight runs on the board, the SBS Bank Otago Volts couldn't keep their feet on the throats of the Houdini-like Canterbury middle order, who combined in a series of fruitful partnerships to steady and see themselves through to a defendable 257/7.
BLACKCAPS left-armer Neil Wagner made an ebullient start by nicking out opener Leo Carter with his second legitimate delivery of the morning.
Jacob Duffy quickly chimed in with a successful shout against Peter Fulton to make it 5/2.
Wagner (3-42) then bowled Michael Davidson in the seventh over, leaving Andrew Ellis and Todd Astle to apply all their experience to a recovery job wirth 86 runs.
After a watchful beginning, they began to attack the run rate, Astle continuing his strong all-round form this season by playing the anchor role and top-scoring with an intelligent 59, before later playing an important role with the ball.
Todd Astle steadied the ship. NZC
Captain Ellis, meanwhile, took 17 off one Wagner over, including a towering six, before he was caught off Warren Barnes for a 49-ball 47.
Youngsters Cameron Fletcher and Cole McConchie then followed their seniors' lead, both producing career bests to set a new highest seventh wicket partnership record of 73 for Canterbury against the Volts.
In reply, Canterbury pace bowler Ed Nuttall continued his impressive season by nobbling the Volts' top order, going on to finish with 3-43.
The winless southerners had got off to a nightmarish start, Michael Bracewell caught behind and sent back with a golden duck under his arm on the third delivery of the innings.
The powerhouse of Hamish Rutherford (49), Jimmy Neesham (34) and Neil Broom (23) all got starts, Neesham and Rutherford knuckling down to add 57 for the fourth wicket. But no one could muster a match-winning stand against the ruthless Cantabrians.
Rutherford was subsequently joined by Sam Wells, the pair adding 48 for the fifth wicket and the pressure only mounting when Rutherford's presence at the crease was ended just shy of his half century, to leave the visitors on edge at 146/ 5 in the 32nd over.
Astle ended their suffering, claiming 3-31 with his leg spinners to clean out the Volts in the 47th over, for a 47-run win.
Into the back end of the comp without a win, the Volts urgently need something to smile about
The Volts now travel to Northland to look for their first win against the SKYCITY Northern Knights in Whangarei on Sunday, while Canterbury decamp for Auckland in a top of the table round five clash with the Mondiale Auckland Aces on Saturday.
