Wellington takes out inaugural Samsung Cricket Masters Tournament

Wellington today took out the inaugural Samsung Cricket Masters tournament with victory over Auckland in the final played today at Taupo's Owen Delany Park.

Auckland required four off the last ball to tie the match but Ian Fisher's valiant attempt was caught on the boundary by Steve Maguiness to give the trophy to the men from the capital.

Wellington scored 196 for nine with good contributions from Andrew Jones (48), Erv McSweeney (39) and Tim Ritchie (34). Auckland's run chase only just failed with Lindsay Crocker (45), Phil Horne (31), and captain Bill Fowler (31) helping the cause.

In the playoff for third and fourth Central Districts amassed 207 against Northern Districts. Man of the match Roger Pierce scored 38, Paul Gibbs 36, while ND's Barry Cooper took three for 34. Northern Districts found the going tough while batting to reach 109 with Pierce taking a career-best six for 30.

In semi-final matches played on Saturday, Auckland edged out Central Districts while Wellington defeated Northern Districts in a cliffhanger, winning the match off the second to last ball of the match.