Wellington top order shines in rain-hit win

Defending champions Wellington started their Georgie Pie campaign with a seven-wicket win against Canterbury in a rain-hit match at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Wellington's top order starred in the 15-overs-a-side match as they chased down 135 with two balls to spare.

Rain had reduced the overs even before the match begun and Canterbury were given a strong start by opener and captain Ronnie Hira's 36-ball 44, after they were put in. He stitched a crucial stand of 53 runs in five overs with Peter Fulton (25) that gave them the impetus for a strong total. However, they lost three more wickets before reaching 100 and a 13-ball 23 from Andrew Ellis took them to 134 for 5.

Wellington were off to flying start with an opening stand of 37 in inly 3.2 overs, including 21 runs off the third over, between Michael Pollard and Michael Papps. Pollard had contributed only six runs to the partnership and his dismissal in the fourth over was Wellington's only stutter. Craig Cachopa's 37 off 32 then led the chase with Stephen Murdoch (40*) even after Papps fell for a quickfire 22-ball 39, with four fours and two sixes, and when Cachopa was run-out, Wellington needed 14 from the last over. Murdoch started off with a six off Ellis' first ball, and Matt Taylor struck one too two balls later, to ease it down and claim four points.