Outgoing State Canterbury Wizard Chris Cairns claimed four wickets as State Central Stags were restricted to 212 for eight in the State Shield final at Christchurch’s QEII Park Village Green.
Cairns, playing his final State Shield game, led the Wizards team on to the field after captain Chris Harris had won the toss and put the visitor in first.
And the veteran all-rounder made his mark in the showpiece, as young pretender Ross Taylor continued his form.
Taylor made another half-century, but after his departure, and the uncharacteristically early exit of captain Jamie How, the CD middle-order had to show some bite to set a respectable total
The 21-year-old made 50, his third of the tournament – in 39 deliveries – but his 40th ball saw Taylor edge a wide Nathan Astle medium-pacer back onto his own stumps.
His dismissal came after How was claimed for five caught by Harris off Cairns at cover. The outgoing veteran had also took Geoff Barnett, caught by Michael Papps at slip for eight.
The loss of the dangerous Taylor-How axis saw CD placed under pressure. Mathew Sinclair, another potential weapon, was run out for 37 in the 23rd over after a fairly solid start.
But Jarrod Englefield and Bevan Griggs came together at the crease and added 69 runs in 20 overs to steady the ship before Englefield retired hurt for 42, injured by a Cairns short ball.
Brendon Diamanti, his replacement, scored one before Astle made a fine catch at long on to earn Craig McMillan a wicket.
Griggs also made 42 before charging a Cairns delivery and mis-timing, for the old stager’s third wicket.
Ewen Thompson made five before lofting a Shane Bond ball to Shanan Stewart at cover point.
In his final over, Cairns relieved Greg Hegglun of his wicket, comprehensively bowling the tail-ender for one, to finish with four for 45 from a memorable spell.
