Canterbury have won the National Under-19 championship for 2009/10 after beating Auckland by six wickets in the final today.

The victory is the fifth championship win for Canterbury in the 14-year history of the event - they have now won the title more times than any other Major Association. They last won the championship in 2006/07.

In today's final at Te Atatu Park, Auckland, Canterbury put in a strong performance in the field to dismiss Auckland for 194 in the 50th over. For Canterbury Theo Van Woerkom returned outstanding figures of six for 26. Brad Chemaly top scored for Auckland with 73.

Canterbury paced their response well and were largely untroubled in reaching the target in the 43rd over, for the loss of only four wickets. Tom Latham continued his excellent form with the bat, scoring 77, well supported by Cole McConchie on 62.

In the 3rd and 4th place playoff, Central Districts overwhelmed Otago by 167 runs. Batting first, Central dominated the Otago attack, led by captain Ben Smith who scored 104. Ben Wheeler chipped in with 41, as Central racked up 251 for eight in their 50 overs. Otago never got going in their run chase against a commanding Central attack, including Gillette Young Cricketer of the Year Adam Milne who took four for 30. Otago were dismissed in the 19th over for just 84.

Wellington and Northern Districts played off for 5th and 6th places, with Wellington recording a comfortable victory. With half-centuries from Harry Boam (52) and Tom Blundell (51), Wellington put on 205 for eight in their 50 overs. They then bundled Northern out for 139 in 34 overs.

Scorecards: FINAL Auckland 194 in 49.3 overs (B Chemaly 73, M Barry 48, J Neesham 31; T Van Woerkom 6/26) lost to Canterbury 196/4 in 42.1 overs (T Latham 77, C McConchie 62) by six wickets. 3rd / 4th PLAYOFF Central Districts 251/8 (B Smith 104, B Wheeler 41; B Soper 3/57) defeated Otago 84 in 18.4 overs (A Milne 4/30) by 167 runs. 5th / 6th PLAYOFF Wellington 205/8 (H Boam 52, T Blundell 51, K Hitchman 32) defeated Northern Districts 139 in 34 overs (J Hickey 55, M Santner 33; K Hitchman 3-15) by 66 runs.

FINAL PLACINGS: Champions: CANTERBURY Runners-Up: Auckland 3rd Place: Central Districts 4th Place: Otago 5th Place: Wellington 6th Place: Northern Districts