Cricket: CD Stags fizzing as another one bites dust

Central Districts Stags seamer Bevan Small claimed four wickets in yesterday's win in Palmerston North.

Four out of five games and yesterday it was the Auckland Aces' turn to suffocate in the Central Districts' dust of defeat.

The Devon Hotel CD Stags juggernaut rolled on in the one-day Ford Trophy after a five-wicket victory over the city slickers at Fitzherbert Park, Palmerston North.

No 3 Ben Smith was the cornerstone of the run chase to comfortably eclipse the Aucklanders' modest total of 225 all out but this time it was the bowlers who provided the ideal platform for their batsmen.

"The wicket was great. They won the toss and we put pressure on them early so it was a fantastic performance," said Bevan Small last night after the bowlers had the top four batsmen of Anaru Kitchen, Jeet Raval, Craig Cachopa and captain Rob Nicol back at the pavilion.

All the batsmen scored double figures but not one got past 15 runs.

"It was a complete performance with no one letting the side down today," said Small who claimed 4-47 in his 10 allotted overs, including a maiden.

The bowling figures of other spittle shiners add credence to Small's claims about the collective worth.

George Worker was the only bowler to concede more than five runs an over.

Andrew Mathieson continued to grow in confidence with 3-42 from 10 overs while spinner Marty Kain, although wicket-less, was the most frugal at 3.2 runs an over from his 10 in opening yesterday with "pup" Stevie Smidt.

On cue to return to Hawke Cup duties as skipper against Horowhenua-Kapiti in Napier this weekend, Smidt took 1-27 while Kieran Noema-Barnett lived up to his credentials as allrounder with 2-37 off 10 overs, including two maidens, and was unbeaten on 38 at No6 with Dane Cleaver on 24 not out.

It was England-bound Noema-Barnett's 50th A-list game for the Heinrich Malan-coached CD.

Said Small: "It was a pretty clean performance on a decent batting track ... with everyone performing at different times."

Smith continued his revival with the bat, carving up a match-high 74 off 81 balls. Aucklander Colin Munro was the best of the Aces with 50 runs.

Small, of Manawatu, has grappled with groin and rib injuries in the T20 and one-day campaign but is itching to play in the four-day Plunket Shield competition when it resumes next month.

The 22-year-old said CD would take their confidence to Harry Barker Reserve, Gisborne, on Tuesday against ND Knights, who are the only side to beat them so far.