The Auckland Aces coasted to an eight wicket win over the Northern Knights in the first preliminary final at Colin Maiden Park in Auckland to give them hosting rights in the Men’s One-Day final next Sunday.
The Knights were put into bat and struggled from the outset, slipping to 104 all out in just 32.2 overs.
Michael Bates and Scott Styris snared three wickets in the process with Lance Shaw picking up two.
James Marshall was the only batsman to provide resistance, albeit brief, with 25 as the rest of the batting line up failed to fire.
Chasing the modest total was unlikely to pose too many problems for the competitions top qualifier and became less of a problem when Aces wicketkeeper batsman Reece Young hit an unbeaten 58 from 70 balls.
Lou Vincent was the other batsman to contribute with a lively 19 at the top of the order as the Aces easily knocked off the runs in just 21 overs.
It is not all over for the Knights who get another chance by virtue of finishing second on the points table at the end of the regular season and will play the Central Stags on Wednesday 17th February with the winner going on to play the Aces in the final.
