Whanganui professional cricketer Ben Smith finished his Budget Rental Plunket Shield campaign with a match to remember as his Central Districts Stags put down the Auckland Aces by four wickets in Napier on Saturday.
The previously unbeaten Aces had already secured the title before the McLean Park fixture, but the
home side ensured they were not unblemished as they scored 464 in reply to the visitors' first innings of 396.
Opener Smith played an exceptional anchor role with 161 from 344 balls, occupying the crease for over eight hours and hitting 17 boundaries and a six in making his fifth first-class century.
Auckland were then bowled out for 266, leaving the Stags around 48 overs on a wearing fourth day pitch to make 199 for victory.
They got there with four overs to spare at 202-6, with Smith having contributed 49 from 63 balls with four boundaries and a six.
