The Central Districts Stags and their Whanganui professional Ben Smith are through to the final of the Ford Trophy competition after a seven wicket win via Duckworth-Lewis method over the Auckland Aces at Pukekura Park in Saturday's semifinal.
Winning the toss, the Stags put the Aces into bat, and theyraised 240 before being bowled out in the 46th over.
In wet conditions, the Stags were set a revised target of 190 in 32 overs, and they comfortably reached 191-3 in the 26th.
Opening batsman Smith scored 46 from 48 balls, sharing in a 92-run first wicket stand with George Worker (46).
Former Collegiate and Wanganui representative Tom Bruce was 19 not out at the end with Jessie Ryder (53 not out).
