Hamilton has lifted the Hawke Cup with a 64-run victory over Hawke's Bay this afternoon, ending a season in which the coveted provincial silverware changed hands in every direct challenge.

Hamilton, Zone 1 Challengers, had already taken a first-innings lead into the final day, which would have proven enough on its own to lift the cup so long as Hawke's Bay couldn't snatch an outright win.

After taking the final four second-innings Hamilton wickets in the morning session, Hawke's Bay meanwhile had a target of 335 to chase down at Napier's Nelson Park if they were to keep the cup in the Bay for the winter.

Their middle order gave them a shout, with Matt Edmondson, Christian Leopard and Angus Schaw all scoring half centuries on the last day.

But the departure of Leopard at 205 for five gave Hamilton a real sniff, and as Schaw lost tail-end partners, the writing was on the wall.

Anurag Verma finished with eight wickets for the match after a superb 6-30 helped control Hawke's Bay's first innings.

Hamilton last held the Hawke Cup in 2012/13 as the defending team in the opening match of that summer, but lost that match to Bay of Plenty.

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