The Northern Knights finally managed to win the HRV Twenty20 competition against the defending champions Otago Volts, with the final played at Seddon Park on 18 January.

by Mike Patrick

DeeKnow / Foter / CC BY-NC

After defeating the Canterbury Wizards on the same ground one night earlier, the Knights restricted the Volts to just 143, and despite some early hiccups in the chase, managed to get over the line with an over to spare.

Despite only claiming five wickets (one of which was a run out), The Knights’ bowling was very difficult to get after; with only Jono Boult conceding more than eight runs an over.

Scott Styris led the way with 1 for 16 off his four overs, while Ryan ten Doeschate was the only Volts batsmen to create any significant damage, hitting two sixes and two fours in his 27-ball 36.

In reply, the Knights were in trouble after 4 overs, with Anton Devcich, Daniel Flynn and Brad Wilson all back in the hut, but a 57 run stand between BJ Watling and Daryl Mitchell set the Knights back on track. Mitchell remained unbeaten on 46 from 42 balls, while Scott Kuggeleijn helped to finish off the chase with 22 from just 7 balls.

This was the Knights’ first HRV title, while Otago missed out on their third. The victory means that the Knights will be the New Zealand side through to the qualifying rounds for the next Champions League.