Northern Brave have clinched a home final in the men's Super Smash Twenty20 competition with an eight-wicket win over Canterbury in Christchurch on Friday.
Blackcaps blaster Tim Seifert hit an unbeaten 88 including the game-winning runs in the final over, as they chased down Canterbury's total of 173/6 to record their seventh straight victory.
Both Tom Latham (34) and Daryl Mitchell (31) combined with opener Chad Howes (58) to see the locals off to a fast start, before Braves bowlers Trent Boult (2/37) and Mitchell Santner (2/34) stemmed the tide through the second half of the innings.
In response, openers Seifert and Katene Clarke set a superb foundation for the Braves' run chase, powering the Braves through to 81 runs, before Clarke fell in the ninth over for 31.
Former Blackcap Jeet Raval entered with a handy quickfire 36 runs off just 23 balls to put the Braves ahead of the run rate.
Raval departed in the 16th over, making way for Colin de Grandhomme to join Seifert and see the side home in the final over.
Seifert hit seven fours and a six in his undefeated 88, which came from just 62 balls.
Victory saw the Brave secure the top spot on the men's ladder for a home Grand Finals day on January 29.
