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The Auckland Aces collected their first points of the HRV Cup with a tight two run win over the Wellington Firebirds at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.
Colin de Grandhomme was given the responsibility of bowling the final over for the Aces with the Firebirds requiring eight runs with two wickets in hand. His first ball went for two but his second delivery had Mark Houghton trapped LBW. It came down to the last ball, with a boundary required but Wellington could only scramble two to lose narrowly.
It was all going nicely for the home side with James Franklin and Chris Nevin sharing a 90 run partnership for the sixth wicket but with wicket of Nevin for 41 sparked a collapse that saw them lose four batsmen for 11 runs.
Franklin was the major blow, caught behind for 72 off 48 after getting his team into a winning position.
Strike bowlers Michael Bates and Daryl Tuffey were outstanding, taking three for 24 and three for 19 respectively.
The Aces total of 169 was set up by a blistering 58 off 48 by opener Lou Vincent and finished off by Aranu Kitchen who blasted 61 from 41.
Sixth placed MVP, Jeetan Patel returned the best figures for the Firebirds of two for 30 with Houghton picking up one for 22.
