Stags deny Aces home comforts

State Central Stags denied State Auckland Aces a home semi-final in the State Shield by completing a 26–run victory at Eden Park’s Outer Oval.

Auckland will travel to the Basin Reserve to take on State Wellington Firebirds next week after last year’s finalists signed off with victory.

Peter Ingram, the Stags’ leading State Shield run scorer this season, hit 61 to push the CD total to 232 for nine in 50 overs.

Greg Hay made an unbeaten 49, with opener Ewen Thompson (32) and Campbell Furlong (33) contributing at either end of the innings.

Aces youngster Roneel Hira claimed four for 40 with his left-arm spin.

Thompson cut through the Auckland top order with three quick wickets, but gin hitting middle-order pair David Houpapa (39 and Reece Young (54not out) restored an outside hope of victory.

But Young was caught attempting a fifth six, leaving them 26 runs adrift of their visitors and with a trip to the capital to plan for.

The winning semi-finallist will play State Otago Volts in Dunedin on Saturday 10 February.