A storming finish from Canterbury has ended Wellington's three-year reign as national women's Twenty20 cricket champions with a four-wicket win in today's final at the Basin Reserve.
Kate Ebrahim Photo: Photosport
Sent in to bat, the Blaze looked on track for an impressive total at 100-1 after 14 overs.
But the loss of Sophie Devine for 47 off 45 balls triggered a massive collapse. Canterbury's Amy Satterthwaite - better know for her exploits with the bat - was on a hat-trick after dismissing Leigh Kasperek for two and Rebecca Burns for a golden duck.
Wellington survived the hat-trick ball, but lost the next four wickets in rapid succession: only 25 runs were added for their last seven wickets.
White Ferns leg spinner Amelia Kerr's mid-innings hat-trick gave Wellington a glimmer of hope, leaving Canterbury - last year's wooden-spooners - reeling at 40-5.
But Kate Ebrahim, with an unbeaten 45 off 40 balls, and Lea Tahuhu (38 not out off 20 balls) piled on 66 runs in 37 balls to secure the win with two balls to spare.