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Jimmy Neesham’s third List A century and three wickets with the ball has taken the Auckland Aces through to the Ford Trophy final against Canterbury on Sunday.
Central found themselves the upper hand in the first ten overs, after electing to bowl at the University of Otago Oval.
Brett Randell struck with the first two wickets, getting Finn Allen bowled for 15 and Jock McKenzie for eight.
Josh Clarkson then had Sean Solia (22) and Cam Fletcher (3) to have the Aces sitting at 50/4 in the 12th over of their innings.
From here however, it was all Neesham and Bevon Jacobs as the pair put on 145 for the fifth wicket to guide the Aces well back into the game and give their side the upper hand.
Just as the pair started to increase their run rate, Ray Toole had Jacobs for 51, ending the 19 overstay at the crease for the pair.
Despite Simon Keene falling for nine to Randell, and the Stags potentially looking to get themselves back into the game, it was a maiden List A half century from Lachlan Stackpole that allowed Auckland to carry on their momentum.
Neesham departed for a well made 128 from just 82 balls with Randell getting his fourth wicket of the innings for the Stags.
Adi Ashok contributed 23 to take the Aces through to 327 for nine from their 50 overs.
Dane Cleaver (44) got the Stags off to a quick start but the loss of Brad Schmulian for eight to Neesham stalled the opening ten overs for Central.
Thirties from Jack Boyle (34) and Tom Bruce (37) allowed the Stags to get themselves into the game but they lost wickets at regular intervals.
Neesham had Cleaver in the 11th over whilst Ashok and Ben Lister put the Aces in a better position with three quick wickets in the middle overs of the chase.
The Stags had slipped from 126/2 to 138/5 when Clarkson tried to go down the ground but found McKenzie’s hands for one.
Apart from Curtis Heaphy leading the batting performance with 69*, Auckland strolled to a comprehensive 91 run victory to book their spot in the final.
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