Queenstown's first scheduled top level game finally got under way two hours late and was just a 39 overs per side contest, but a game was at least played, with Wellington beating Otago in their State Shield match by an exciting three runs.

Carisbrook groundsman Mark Perham and his team were at the ground at 5.30am in a desperate effort to dry the wicket and roll the moisture out of it.

A torrential downpour on New Year's Day had left the pitch under water - being a new ground no build up had developed and therefore no run off. Hot air was blown on the run-up at the eastern end of the ground and after about five hours of this treatment the game began.

Otago won the toss and put Wellington into bat and it was obvious from the outset that batting conditions were going to be difficult. Only Chris Nevin played an innings of any substance for Wellington and, as it turned out, in the match.

Nevin's 87 not out was a model to anyone wanting to know how to push the ball around and build an innings in not ideal batting conditions. His main support came from Richard Jones with 21 and 21 extras. Wellington totaled 164/8 in their 39 overs.

The Otago bowling saw Warren McSkimming, in his return from injury, get 2-18 off his maximum of eight overs. Kerry Walmsley (3-30) and Craig Cumming (1-30) off their eight bowled well too.

Otago began their chase full of confidence but soon found how awkward batting on a slow holding wicket could be and no-one in their side had the fortitude of Nevin to build a long innings, although some lower order batsmen played well and almost snatched victory.

Craig Pryor top scored with 27 and Kerry Walmsley (17 not out) impressed with their efforts but they still fell just short.

For Wellington James Franklin (three for 27 from eight overs), Paul Hitchcock (one for 26) and Matthew Walker (two for 24) achieved consistency with the ball for their side.

This new ground at the Queenstown Events Centre in Frankton, known as the John Davies Oval is in a quite magnificent setting and, as both teams told Cricinfo, it would be hard to find anything better anywhere.

There are, however, a few things to sort out.

The scoreboard, although new, can hardly be read by anyone; the pitch, although not criticised by either team because of the huge work expended by ground staff to get a game underway, obviously needs its covers looking at and the sloping of the run-ups need to be addressed. Perhaps some little lateral drains leading out to the outfield could be the answer.

Wellington coach Vaughn Johnson was thrilled to win such a close contest and put the victory down to the special fighting qualities his team possesses.

© CricInfo