The New South Wales Blues kept their hopes of a finals berth in the Pura Cup alive today with an eight-wicket victory over competition-leaders the Queensland Bulls at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Along with the Victorian Bushrangers' six-wicket loss to the Tasmanian Tigers today, this result keeps the Blues just six points from the lead with two matches remaining.

The game finished midway through the afternoon after New South Wales achieved a simple target of 25 for victory, albeit with the loss of two wickets. Mark Higgs was named Man of the Match for his first innings knock of 181 not out.

The final day began with Queensland on 4/155, needing another 68 runs to make the Blues bat again. A 122-run stand between Queensland captain Stuart Law, and first-class debutant Brendan Nash, reduced the threat of an innings loss. Nash, out for a duck in the first innings on Sunday, made 44 before edging Stuart MacGill to Shane Lee at slip. Law was within sight of his 50th first-class century, when on 98 he played a loose pull shot off MacGill which was lofted to Nathan Bracken at mid-on.

Wade Seccombe (21) and Andy Bichel (12) ensured that New South Wales would bat again, but both lost the wickets in the two overs before lunch. Shane Lee finished the Queensland innings in the third over after the interval, removing Scott O'Leary and Joe Dawes, both lbw, within the space of three deliveries.

Lee finished the Queensland second innings of 247 with the figures of 3/10 from four overs, while MacGill claimed 3/79. Higgs (2/42) and Anthony Clark (a career-best 2/19) claimed the remainder of the Queensland wickets. Nathan Bracken and Don Nash went wicketless, the latter, in his seven overs, failing to impress with the ball.

New South Wales took 9.4 overs to score the necessary 25 runs to effect the outright, but not before the loss of both opening batsmen. Brett van Deinsen was run out for 1 after a mixup with his partner Greg Mail (12), who was caught down the leg side by Queensland wicketkeeper Wade Seccombe off the bowling of Andy Bichel. It was left to Michael Clarke and Graeme Rummans - who was brought into the side today as a substitute for India-bound Brad Haddin - to complete the win.

Following today's results, Queensland is ahead of Victoria (both 28 pts) on quotient, with New South Wales on 22 and Western Australia, who defeated South Australia by 36 runs, on 16. With all teams having two more matches to play, only South Australia (14) and Tasmania (10) cannot make the final.

© 2001 CricInfo Ltd