Opening batsman Finn Allen has dominated the Central Stags bowling attack to guide Wellington Firebirds directly into a home Super Smash men's final next month.
Chasing a paltry 165 runs off their 20 overs, the defending champions reached their target with almost four overs to spare, as Blackcaps batsman Devon Conway cleared the boundary for the winning runs.
Conway had been a spectator at the other end, as opening partner Allen took charge early, smashing 66 runs off 27 balls, including a half century off just 16 deliveries.
Earlier, the Wellington bowlers had Central in trouble, dismissing internationals Will Young and Ross Taylor on the same score, as they reduced the top order to 41/4.
Opener George Worker was the pick of the specialist batsmen with 49 runs off 45 balls, but was caught by Logan van Beek, off Mark Bracewell's bowling, one short of his half ton.
Stags all-rounder Doug Bracewell unleashed 24 runs - two sixes and three fours - in their final to give the 164/7 scoreline some semblance of respectability, but Allen and Conway quickly dismissed any hopes that total would be enough.
Allen was eventually undone by spinner Jayden Lennox, as his team reached 100 runs in the ninth over, wicketkeeper Tom Blundell contributed a 14-ball cameo of 24 runs, while Conway saw the Firebirds home with 69 off 50 balls.
Wellington have one more round-robin game left against Auckland Aces, but already have an unassailable eight-point lead atop the competition table.
Central must now win their final outing against Canterbury Kings to stave off Northern Knights for the third and final playoff spot.
