Canterbury clinch title with 49-run win

Canterbury 215 and 221 for 8 dec beat Wellington 188 and 199 (NR Parlane 74, Woodcock 65, Astle 4-26, Davidson 4-28) by 49 runs
Scorecard

Canterbury secured their first State Championship title in a decade after Todd Astle's four wickets helped fend off a charging Wellington at the Basin Reserve. Wellington were 154 for 5 chasing 249 when Astle collected three wickets in an over to reduce them to 154 for 8 and all but end any chances of a home-town triumph.

Wellington started the day in big trouble at 14 for 4, however a 65-run stand from Chris Nevin (25) and Neal Parlane brought them back into the game. When Brandon Hiini had Nevin lbw, Parlane batted on with Luke Woodcock and their 83-run partnership caused some nervous moments for Cantebury, who had declared late on the fourth afternoon.

But Astle's heroics changed the match - he began with Parlane caught by Michael Papps for 74. Three balls later Dewayne Bowden was caught without scoring before Jeetan Patel was caught behind from his first delivery.

Woodcock tried his best to rescue the situation, however he was the last man out, finishing with 65 and giving Astle the figures of 4 for 26 as Canterbury prevailed. It was their first State Championship title since 1997-98.

"It was a magnificent effort from us in a game that's gone up and down," Canterbury coach Dave Nosworthy told the New Zealand Herald. "But Wellington are a quality side and I feel for them at the moment, I know what they're going through."