Cricket: Knights draw after missing target

Otago opener Ryan Duffy clips a ball through square leg on his way to scoring a career-best 44 at Cobham Oval on Saturday against the Northern Knights. Photo/Ron Burgin.

The Northern Knights almost turned the Cobham Oval into a happy hunting ground as 31 wickets fell in two days, leaving the Knights 30 runs short of snatching an unlikely Plunket Shield win over the Otago Volts.

Needing 154 runs to win with 22 overs left, Northern finished the fourth day at 124 for seven in Whangarei.

Early in the day on Saturday, a delayed start saw Otago cling to the draw as they went on to add 68 runs to their overnight lead of 86 before Northern attempted the chase.

Producing a career-best performance was Otago opener Ryan Duffy [44] in just his second first-class match, proving to be a crucial knock.

Giving Duffy support was former Black Cap Jesse Ryder with 80, while further support was given by Nathan McCullum in scoring 55.

Graeme Aldridge did the damage with the ball for Northern as he picked up four for 50 with support given by Daniel Vettori with three for 73, two of which came in consecutive balls.

In the chase, Northlander Brad Wilson couldn't repeat his first innings half century effort as he was run out for 11 while his fellow opener Daniel Flynn top-scored with 29.

Otago bowler Jimmy Neesham did a great job in slowing Northern's progress as he finished with figures of five for 65 - a career-best.

In other Plunket Shield results, the Canterbury Wizards sit top the table after three rounds thanks to a tight 10-run victory against the Wellington Firebirds while Auckland and Central Districts' match also finished in a draw.

The Cobham Oval will host another Plunket Shield match in February against the Firebirds. Prior to that match, however, a New Zealand XI play a two-day match against India at Cobham Oval.