Canterbury have finished runners-up in the Plunket Shield after lodging a seven-wicket win over Wellington late on the final day of the New Zealand domestic season.
Chasing a third successive title, Canterbury never had a chance of overhauling champions Auckland coming into the 10th and final round but they did enough to leapfrog Wellington, who were second.
Needing 105 in their second innings on the fourth day at the Basin Reserve, rain delayed the resumption of their run chase until after an early tea was taken.
They lost little time when conditions cleared, reaching 108-3 in 20 overs, with Andrew Ellis cracking an unbeaten 55 off 25 balls.
With little to play for, Auckland suffered their first loss of the season, by four wickets to Central Districts in Napier.
The home side dismissed Auckland for 266 in their second innings and reached the required 202-6 off 44.1 overs, with opener Greg Hay scoring 72.
Auckland legspinner Tarun Nethula snared 5-73 while their wicketkeeper Brad Cachopa finished with 45 dismissals for the season, surpassing the record of 44 set by Otago's Derek de Boorder three years ago.
The final game petered to a draw in Whangarei, with last-placed Otago advancing from 55-2 to 172-3 against fourth-placed Northern Districts before both teams agreed to end play early. Otago opener Brad Wilson was 62 not out.
FINAL STANDINGS
Auckland 132pts 1, Canterbury 117 2, Wellington 108 3, Northern Districts 87 4, Central Districts 85 5, Otago 61 6.