Ford Trophy Finals. The last decade

Today makes the final of the Ford Trophy when Central Districts host Auckland at the comical Pukekura Park.  Here are some of the more memorable finals over the last decade.

Note it was called State Shield until 2008/09, then had no sponsor for two years and called ‘The One-day Competition’, before becoming Ford Trophy in 2011/12.

2016/17   

Canterbury (defeated Wellington Firebirds at Rangiora)

But for a Bic Runga concert scheduled months prior at the Basin, this match would’ve been played in Wellington.  The price you pay to get onside with your City Council.

Peter Fulton’s swansong on his home ground, and Canterbury’s first trophy in this competition for over a decade.

2015/16    

Central Stags (defeated Canterbury at Pukekura Park)

Small ground cricket at its most Kiwi. George Worker, who scored a century in the opening round but only 32 in four innings before the final, cracked 12 boundaries and seven sixes reaching 159 off 151.

Yet his strike rate was dwarfed by Young (51 from 32) and Tom Bruce, who mashed a whirlwind 71 from 23 that included the fastest half century in the competition’s history.

Ellis scored a century in reply but 405 is a big score.  405.

2013/14   

Wellington Firebirds (defeated Northern Districts at Bay Oval)

The time that guy did the full pink FKW thing and dripped the ball in a cup of tui.  At the time Boult and Southee were on song; after the dunking they struggled to get it land, and Luke Ronchi couldn’t believe his luck.

2011/12    

Central Stags (defeated Auckland Aces at Pukekura Park)

Small ground.  And Michael Mason hitting the winning runs,  He came in at number 10 and got 41 off 19.  He came in with 8 wickets down, 58 needed off 28 balls and Chris Martin and Mitchell McClenaghan to finish the innings.  It was his last game for CD

2010/11    

Auckland Aces (defeated Canterbury at Queen Elizabeth II Park, Christchurch)

That is a time capsule.  335/6 defeated 329/9.  Lou Vincent made 152 from 152 in a match played a week before the big quake.  Rob Nicol also scored a century for the hosts.

2008/09    

Northern Districts (defeated Otago Volts at Seddon Park)

Interesting scorecard.  A really interesting scorecard.