Hamish Bennett is the Canterbury half. Neither strike bowler is from Wellington, but we are not bitter ... not bitter at all.
They were simply marvellous in tandem. Their combined opening spells almost buried Otago.
The Volts had slumped to 39 for five and then 57 for seven. But to their credit they battled back to 234 for eight, and really made Wellington work for their first one-day title in five years.
But in the final analysis it was the first 12 overs which really hurt the Volts.
Newton, who learned his cricket in Dunedin and represented the province at A level before moving to the capital for work, struck first.
He nicked out opener Mitch Renwick in the opening over and removed the experienced Brad Wilson in the same fashion a little later.
He finished with two for 44 and later got to hit the winning runs, which was a tremendous feeling for the 30-year-old accountant.
"It is pretty bittersweet to come back home and play in the final down here, I guess," Newton said.
"But it was a really good game for the spectators and it is fantastic for us. We had to do it the long way," he added, in reference to Wellington having to cede the hosting rights for Wednesday’s elimination final.
"Hamish has bowled absolutely beautifully and took the record for the most wickets in a Ford Trophy season for Wellington, so that kind of made my job a lot easier. I’m absolutely stoked for everyone."
The game took a most dramatic turn in the 10th over. Bennett took three wickets in four balls and the Volts spent the rest of the game trying to claw their way back into the contest.
Bennett returned later in the innings and captured the wicket of Michael Rippon, who helped drag the Volts through to a respectable score with a fine knock of 82.
The 31-year-old bounce bowler finished the season with 28 wickets at an average of 14.42, and must be a strong contender for the Black Caps World Cup squad.
"I would love to play for New Zealand and I would love to go to another World Cup," Bennett said.
"I feel as though I’ve got some experience behind me and if I am blessed to get the opportunity again I hope I can take the opportunity with two hands."
