SPLIT ROUND • 2022/23
FIFTH MATCH FOR CENTRAL STAGS
SIXTH MATCH FOR AUCKLAND ACES
Pukekura Park, New Plymouth
15 December 2022
Central Stags lost to Auckland Aces by 3 wickets
Selected milestones
Jack Boyle (Central Stags): List A debut (previously: Canterbury)
Matt Gibson (Auckland Aces): List A debut
Matt Gibson: Maiden wickets
Seth Rance: Career best List A batting
Matt Gibson was successful on debut | all images: PHOTOSPORT
A laboured three-wicket win on a slow wicket had The Ford Trophy's defending champions, the Auckland Aces, singing their victory song at last in their sixth match, at New Plymouth's Pukekura Park this evening.
But after having had the high-flying Central Stags 15/5 inside the first 7.3 overs of the match, the wonder of it all was that victory took so long.
Five of the Stags were dismissed for no score in the low-scoring game, after Aces captain Robbie O'Donnell won the toss and put the Stags in - following heavy overnight rain and a delayed start.
Ben Lister started the ball rolling by dismissing Stags debutant Jack Boyle for one, after the opener had twice been hit in the groin and crumpled to the deck. Boyle was caught behind, as was Dane Cleaver two balls later for the first of the eggs, in a double wicket maiden.
He then had Ross Taylor caught off his last delivery of his next over - the batting great's third duck in four innings.
Two balls later, Danru Ferns went bang-bang to remove big hitters Tom Bruce and Josh Clarkson with consecutive deliveries and it was over to the Stags' mercurial incumbent opener Brad Schmulian to battle his way to a top score of 46 (82 balls) to give his side something to bowl at.
He was helped by an unlikely assistant, the often cavalier tailender Seth Rance going on to a new career best of 45 off just 43 balls before the Aces wrapped up the innings in 37 overs neat.
Left-arm aggressor Ben Lister finished with 4-40, while Ferns conceded just 2-25 off his seven overs and after stopping the innings at 147, the Aces would need less than three an over for a sorely coveted win.
But the boot was soon on the other foot, six of the Aces' batsmen dismissed for single-figure scores by a tight Stags attack that was let down somewhat by a sprinkling of spilled catches.
Rance was left to mull what might have been after dropping a skied O'Donnell chance when the captain was on 23, at 89/5.
George Worker had grafted a start for the Aces with a patient 29 at the top, but it was O'Donnell who went on to secure what proved a challenging win for his side, while the Stags were left to contemplate missed opportunities to push their opponent to the brink.
O'Donnell was a picture of caution as he nudged his way to an unbeaten 54, losing regular partners - the team at one stage 89/6 - before Ferns brought home the last runs in the 44th over.
Brett Randell finished with 3-25 off his eight overs, Ray Toole with 2-27. The result denied the Stags a chance to go clear at the top of the table where they still sit equal on points with Canterbury and Northern Districts, while the Aces remain adrift in the cellar.
Sunday will see the last round of The Ford Trophy before teams switch to T20 mode, the Stags in for a rematch with the Wellington Firebirds at Napier's McLean Park; Canterbury hosting Northern Districts in a top of the table clash at Hagley Oval; and the Aces en route to the scene of last season's trophy triumph. Queenstown's John Davies Oval, where they will meet the Otago Volts, with both teams coming off a win.
