Scott guides Otago to 18-run win

An allround performance by Bradley Scott helped Otago beat Wellington by 18 runs at Invercargill. The win has secured them hosting rights for the State Shield final on February 10. Set a target of 231, the Wellington top order wobbled and a 107-run stand between Stu Mills (60) and Luke Woodcock (47) for the seventh wicket wasn't enough to secure a victory. Otago seamers Scott and Mathew Harvie took three wickets each and seized the initiative as Wellington were struggling at 100 for 6, before Mills and Woodcock tried the resurrect the chase.

The Otago innings too had followed a similar script after they were struggling at 103 for 6. Gareth Hopkins top-scored with 47 off 48 balls while Nathan McCullum chipped in with 31. Scott's late cameo of 35, scored off 26 balls with three sixes lifted his side to 230, a knock which made a difference to the final result of the match.