The Wellington Firebirds have risen to the top of the domesticTwenty20 table after beating the Northern Knights at Mount Maunganui.
Fielding was the difference between the teams as the hosts shelled more catches than they held.
Wellington's Stephen Murdoch, who top scored with 57 off 46, was given three lives before bringing up his half-century.
The Firebirds modest tally of 145-6, set the Knights a run chase of just over seven an over,
but the knights' wickets tumbled leaving them needing 50 runs from the last four overs.
At the end of their innings the hosts had only managed 124-9.
The Firebirds' next opponents are the Otago Volts on January 8th, while the Knights face the Auckland Aces on the same day.
Points table:
Wellington Firebirds 20
Auckland Aces 16
Northern Knights 16
Otago Volts 16
Canterbury Wizards 10
Central Stags 2