Defending champions Wellington Firebirds have made a winning start to their Super Smash campaign with a four wicket win over the Auckland Aces at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.
After being set a tough 177 to win, Firebirds opener Finn Allen smashed the Aces all over the park to get the home side off to a fast start with his 50 coming off just 22 balls.
Troy Johnson coming in at three scored an unbeaten 50 off 44 balls to see the home side home.
Michael Bracewell won the toss for Wellington and put the Aces into bat in what looked like being the wrong decision.
Auckland openers Graeme Beghin and Sean Solia made a fast start with the opening partnership worth 62 before Michael Snedden picked up the first wicket.
Will O'Donnell kept the runs flowing with a 76 run-partnership with a Solia before spinner Peter Younghusband got his first wicket of the afternoon.
Aces' Robert O'Donnell saw the innings home with a quickfire 27 from 15 balls to give the Aces moment at the break.
After losing Rachin Ravindra early, Allen gave the Firebirds innings the impetus it needed to keep the home side ahead of the asking rate.
Johnson continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over while his fallow batsman provided the much needed firepower.
Fraser Colson 22 off 17 balls and Jamie Gibson's 24 from 14 balls look to have the Firebirds cruising home.
Two wickets in the Danru Ferns over gave the visitors some hope but Lauchie Johns sent Ben Lister's penultimate over for 13 to get the home side off to the best possible start.
In the earlier game, the defending champions the Wellington Blaze have made light work of Auckland Hearts in the opening match of the women's Super Smash.
The Blaze eased their way to a nine wicket victory thanks to a strong partnership from Maddy Green and Amelia Kerr.
Kerr dominated with both bat and ball .. notching up her 150th T20 wicket and second T20 50.
Auckland Aces - 176-3 (Solia 75 (56), Beghin 32 (23),Younghusband 1/25)
Wellington Firebirds - 178/6 - (Allen 53 (23), Johnson 50 (44)no, Somerville 2/34)
Wellington Firebirds win by four wickets
