For the first time in this long and dreary summer - only two days from its scheduled end and with each of those days shortening in the flood towards winter - a little weary sunshine shone on Otago's back.

When they left the field at McLean Park tonight, outflanked by lengthening shadows and overlooked a light sky whitening towards evening, their step was a little more jaunty and their chins were held higher, their faces were less downcast.

Because today and more obviously than on any of the 37 days of State Championship cricket which has preceded it, Otago had a day in the sun, a day on which their spirit shone - an excuse to smile and be proud.

Otago dominated the second day of their Championship match against Central Districts, recovering their first innings which was a little faded by stumps on the first day, then gaining and enlarging a first innings lead which Central reduced partially and without wicketloss before stumps.

Resuming at 59/3, Otago were given strength and confidence by Chris Gaffaney and Craig Pryor, then Pryor and Simon Beare, then Beare and Scott Waide and finally by Duncan Drew and Neil Rushton who put on 36 by their 10th wicket.

With those various innings and various partnerships, Otago reached 268 in its first innings, replying to Central's 178, to establish a 90-run first innings lead. By stumps and after nine overs, Central was 27/0 in its second innings and Otago's lead was still 63, a little eroded but still impressive.

Otago sides are well known for their spirit and admired for it. They have a determination belied by natural casualness, a steadiness and a sense of duty to each other and to their province. They demonstrated that today when, with steady application, they took charge of this 10th match of the season and made less likely a 10th consecutive loss.

The season has inflicted on Otago nine losses in nine matches and it has been left to them in this last game, against a team placed third on the Championship table, to take all steps necessary to avoid a season without any redeeming feature. They produced the determination today to avoid a full card of losses.

Otago progressed in the manner of a relay team of post riders to a first innings lead by the middle of the second session. They developed that lead after tea and had some control over their own fate when they allowed Central to bat again with nine overs remaining in the day.

Gaffaney was the first man to take charge, to carry the baton which represented Otago's hopes. He took his overnight score of 33 on to 66 in a fourth wicket partnership with Pryor which lifted Otago from 51/3 to 126/4, adding 75 runs.

Gaffaney, who faced the first ball of the innings on Sunday afternoon, batted 201 minutes and punctuated his innings with six fours.

When Gaffaney was finally out, caught by Campbell Furlong at slip from Brent Hefford in the 50th over, Otago were 52 runs from Central's first innings total.

Pryor then took charge and, in taking his score on to 38 in 174 minutes - an effort of remarkable application and much of it as Gaffaney's lieutenant - lifted Central to 162/5. When he was out in the 65th over, Beare was at the crease well set and ready to lead Otago on to a first innings advantage.

Beare dominated a partnership of 44 for the sixth wicket with Nathan Morland which lasted almost 15 overs and during which, around 2pm, first innings points were achieved. Of those 44 runs, Morland made only seven but he, too, gave his team good service.

Beare's was a fine innings - ambitious and decisive, well-paced and full of simple but effective strokeplay. He pushed the scoring on at its most regular tempo of the day: he made 60 in 140 minutes from 114 balls with seven fours. He played with balance and judgement off both feet and took his boundaries with crisp timing and careful placement.

Beare was out in the 86th over when Otago was 217 and leading by 39 runs. Waide made 17 and was next out at 232/8 and Kerry Walmsley fell without scoring at the total, leaving Otago 54 ahead with one wicket in hand.

But there was still spirit and a sense of clear purpose in the Otago side - a side with considerable batting depth in this match - and Rushton and Drew kept the innings alive for a further 15 overs. Their 36-run stand, epitomising Otago's determination, left them in greater control of the day and the match.

Ruston made 25 from 54 balls while Drew was left 11 not out.

It would have been the crowning glory of the day if Otago had been able to claim a Central wicket before the curtain fell but they could not do so. Furlong and Peter Ingram saw Central through the last and important period of the day without loss.

Ingram was 10 and Furlong 16 when drinks were taken.

The advantage in the game, with Otago, is still a small one with two days remaining but if the visitors can bowl well in the first session tomorrow, expose Central's middle then lower order, they might yet have the chance to end this summer with a last and pleasing moment in the sun.

© CricInfo