Firebirds defeat leaders

Iain O’Brien and Luke Woodcock took four wickets each as State Wellington Firebirds claimed a 123-run win over State Championship-leading Canterbury Wizards at the Basin Reserve.

Set 323 to win, the leaders were overwhelmed by left-arm spinner Woodcock and seamer O’Brien.

Wizards opener Michael Papps again fell short of a century, following his first-innings 98 with 93.

Papps and opening colleague Todd Astle opened the run chase with a century stand, but after the New Zealand Under-19 was dismissed for 42, wickets tumbled rapidly.

The Firebirds restricted Canterbury to 198, the final five wickets of the game falling for only 10 runs added.