Cricket: Stags slip but team grow in stature

MILESTONE: Tom Bruce was unbeaten on 166 runs for his second first-class century yesterday. PHOTO/NZME

The Central Districts Stags lost another game but they didn't come away empty handed in a spirited run chase yesterday in Hamilton.

"The boys showed a bit of character as we came close to drawing the match," said Tom Bruce last night after the Sky City Northern Districts Knights beat them by 115 runs at Seddon Park in their round eight, four-day Budget Rental Plunket Shield clash.

Bruce, of Nelson, was unbeaten on 166 at No 5 while No 8 Bevan Small, of Manawatu, dug deep with 76 runs for the Devon Hotel-sponsored CD team who have only one win in the format this summer.

"It was a partnership with Bevan. It would have been nice if had got to three figures," said the 24-year-old right-hand batsmen as the pair made milestone highest first-class scores - Bruce his second century and Small his maiden half ton.

Having lost three wickets overnight, the Stags were always going to feel the pinch at the end but Bruce put it down "that's cricket".

"They bowled some good balls and it's not just up to the top three to score runs but the entire 11."

An aggressive batsman, Bruce said he saw himself playing white-ball and red-ball cricket in similar fashion but grew as a player "in playing each ball on its merit".

Bruce's knock included 22 boundaries and a six from 233 balls as he occupied the crease in a 319-minute defiance.

Fifth-placed CD now play last-placed Otago Volts on Wednesday in Dunedin.

Auckland Aces won by 10 runs yesterday and so did the Wellington Firebirds by 54 runs to claim first and second places, respectively, on the ladder as The Canterbury Kings slipped to the third rung after losing.