Wellington have edged to a three-wicket win in the Ford Trophy one-day cricket final, stealing home with eight balls to spare at Dunedin's University Oval.
Wellington Firebirds skipper Hamish Bennett celebrates the wicket of Otago's Anaru Kitchen during the Ford Trophy one-day final. Photo: Photosport
Wicketkeeper Lauchie Johns and Ollie Newton guided the visitors home, Johns with a well-paced 24 from 20 balls after Wellington lost innings anchor Malcolm Nofal for 73 early in the 47th over as they chased Otago's 234-8.
Nofal and Peter Younghusband (49) had earlier combined to put on 118 for the sixth wicket after Wellington had stumbled to 75-5 in 17 overs.
Jacob Duffy was the chief destroyer for Otago at 3-50, with Michael Rippon chipping in with 2-47 off his 10 overs.
Earlier, Otago had battled through their own collapse, Wellington looking in complete control after reducing them to 57-7 early in the 16th over, led by captain Hamish Bennett's 4-46.
But Christi Viljoen and Rippon rescued the innings with a 146-run stand for the eighth wicket. Viljoen anchored the innings with an unbeaten 87 off 107 balls, while Rippon lasted until late in the 48th over for a 112-ball 82 as Otago battled their way to a defendable total.