"His 102 not out was one of the best one-day innings I've seen on Nelson Park for a long time," Schaw said and nobody in his immediate vicinity disagreed.
Smith, a son of former Black Caps wicketkeeper Ian Smith, carried the bat for the entire innings and his century, which he rattled up in 192 minutes off 110 balls, included eight fours and three sixes. Fellow opener and former New Zealand under-19 rep Christian Leopard, of the Napier Technical club, scored 32 runs, Havelock North's Graeme Tryon scored 27, Taradale's Dean Foxcroft 20 and CHB's Angus Schaw 24 not out off 12 balls including five fours at the end of the innings.
"We didn't bowl well in our previous day's semifinal win against Nelson but it was exceptional in the final. Ben stood out with good bounce and pace and he was very accurate with what he wanted to execute," coach Schaw said referring to Taradale's Ben Stoyanoff who took one for 27 off eight overs.
His clubmate and former Black Cap and current Central Districts seamer, Doug Bracewell, took two for 38 off 10 and CHB's Blair Tickner two for 30 off eight.
Nelson batted first in the semifinal and scored 255 for 10 off 48.3 overs. In reply Hawke's Bay scored 258 for six off 48.2 overs.
Havelock North's Brad Schmulian's century was the highlight of the Bay's innings and Schaw said the former Auckland club player must be catching the attention of the Central Districts Stags selectors.
In their tournament opener Hawke's Bay took on Wairarapa on Friday and they scored 64 runs before they were bowled out within 26.5 overs. Bracewell took four for six off six overs and Stoyanoff three for 17 off four.
With the bat Leopard top scored with 31 not out. "We've come a really long way. It's good to see our potential coming out. We've put a lot of work into our culture and attitude during the last two years and we're starting to thrive," Schaw said.
"We're really excited about our chances of holding on to the Furlong Cup (the trophy for the CD two-day competition) and giving the Hawke Cup (the symbol of New Zealand inter-districts supremacy) a serious crack."
Schaw agreed the availability of the three Stags, Bracewell, Tickner and Taradale's Ajaz Patel, was a big boost to his team at the weekend. They won't be available because of Stags commitments when Hawke's Bay travel to Tauranga this weekend for two T20s and a one-day pre-season match against Bay of Plenty.
"We could have four or five players come in who we didn't have at the weekend. Bay of Plenty hold the Hawke Cup so it will be good to have a look at what they have," Schaw added.
