The Auckland Aces have shot to the top of the Super Smash table after a six wicket win over the Canterbury Kings at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
The home side looked to have started well through Blackcap Tom Latham (22) and Cam Fletcher who top scored on 43.
However the slightly tacky Hagley Oval surface played its role, making life difficult for new batsmen.
And with the Kings losing a steady flow of wickets, the hosts never looked like making a competitive score, setting the Aces just 134 to win despite Blackcap Henry Nicholls finding some much needed form with a solid 39.
The afternoon looked like it may have been a short one with Glenn Phillips hitting 50 and new Blackcap Test bastman Jeet Raval knocking a solid 44.
But a flurry of wickets made for a slightly awkward finish before Ben Horne struck the winning runs in the 19th over.
The bottom of the table Kings now host the Wellington Firebirds on Thursday while Auckland head to Hamilton to take on the Northern Knights next Saturday.
Newshub.