It was third time unlucky for the Canterbury Kings, in their third Dream11 Super Smash Grand Final in as many years, against the same men who beat them last year.
Northern Brave had been asked to field first, but made key opening breakthroughs before Kings captain Cole McConchie and Leo Carter steadied the ship for the hosts at Hagley Oval in the 2023 Final.
BLACKCAPS Neil Wagner (2-22) and Mitch Santner (3-16) were in top gear for Northern Brave and, with assistance from a good all-round attack, restricted the Kings to 154/6.
It was a good total, but one that could have been higher in the conditions, and vulnerable to negation by a good start from Brave's powerful top order.
Explosive Katene Clarke quickly reached 28 off just 17 balls, but was given out at 51/1, leaving fellow opener Tim Seifert to score a half century this time around.
The Kings just weren't sharp enough in the face of a calm and steady approach from the anchorman Jeet Raval and Seifert who knew just what to do in an evening chase under lights in a Final.
Everyone in the Brave top order had got a start and contributed, and the Northern experience kept coming with Santner strolling in, in the 15th over.
The Kings needed magic, but they would not perform it on the night as Joe Carter and Santner smoothly rustled up a winning partnership of 45 off just 24 balls, defending their trophy comfortably with a seven-wicket win and two overs to spare.
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