Turner the hero as Wellington earn home semi-final

Wellington have comfortably beaten Otago by 58 runs at the Basin Reserve.

Wellington have collected five State Shield points to finish the competition in second place on 25 points and will host Northern Districts at the Basin Reserve in Wednesday's semi-final for the right to play Auckland in the final.

Sadly, after leading the State Shield at the halfway point, Otago have finished last on the points table and they will rue some wet weather in a couple of previous games, denying them wins, that had a bearing on their season.

However, they will also rue their batting performance today, as they were bowled out in 42.2 overs for 119.

Only Brendon McCullum, with 55 runs from 93 balls, presented any real danger for the Firebirds. McCullum was ably supported for a time by Jordan Sheed (25 from 59), but once Sheed departed, Otago lost its final five wickets for 25 runs.

The hero for Wellington was Ash Turner. Turner bowled 8.5 overs, two maidens and took five wickets for 12 runs.

Turner's sensational haul was just reward for some excellent line and length swing bowling, which the Otago batsmen had no answer for at times. Turner removed Craig Cumming (two), Marcel McKenzie (11) and Chris Gaffaney (six) in successive overs to have the Volts reeling at 37 for four in the 15th over.

Turner was well supported by James Franklin, who had two for 29 from 10 overs and Paul Hitchcock whose eight overs cost 17 runs.

Richard Jones took three excellent catches as well.

Earlier, Wellington would have thanked their tail order for getting them through to 177.

Only Grant Donaldson (45) made any sort of contribution at the top of the order. After former international Shayne O'Connor had Chris Nevin out, caught at point, off the first ball of the match, Wellington were also floundering at 37 for three in the 16th over at one stage.

Mark Jefferson (31 from 28 balls), Hitchcock (17 from 26 balls) and Franklin (16 not out from 14 balls) all produced late cameos that flattered the scoreline.

Otago bowled and fielded well though. Their bowling was led by O'Connor who took three for 39 from 10 overs, James McMillan with one for 21 from 10 and Nathan Morland who went wicketless but conceded only 30 runs from his 10.