Knights claim victory

An Alun Evans half-century and three wickets each for Graeme Aldridge and Mark Jefferson gave State Northern Knights inflicted a first defeat of the season on State Shield leaders Wellington Firebirds.

Northern claimed their first limited-overs win of the campaign by 113 runs at Taupo’s Owen Delany Park.

Welsh-born batsman Evans helped them to 246 all out, Brent Arnel (2) dismissed with the innings’ final delivery.

Then, the Wellington reply was restricted to 37 for three within seven overs, and the run chase was halted with tail-end collapse, finishing 133 all out.

The Knights removed the last five Firebirds wickets for only three runs in 35.3 overs to claim victory.