The Aces posted 327 for nine against Central Districts in the elimination final at the University Oval yesterday.
That target proved too steep for the Stags.
Wrist spinner Adi Ashok and Neesham picked up three wickets apiece to help roll Central for 236 and clinch a comfortable 91-run win.
Neesham removed both openers, which was telling.
But it was his effort with the bat that turned the match.
The big-hitting all-rounder smashed eight sixes and 12 fours with the kind of crisp hitting we have become accustomed to from the left-hander.
The ball which got him out for 128 should have gone over the rope as well.
It was a full toss right in his arc.
That was a mistake, but so was bowling full to him in his mood.
He dispatched many a delivery down the ground in glorious fashion.
Power has never been an issue for Neesham. The onslaught was less brutal than it was graceful.
The innings was best described as a pretty watch, and it was chanceless until he holed out.
He combined with Bevon Jacobs in a chunky 145-run stand for the fourth wicket.
Jacobs is another who can hit a ball a long way.
His 51 from 66 balls helped the Aces claw their way back from a dicey spot at 50 for four.
The impressive Brett Randell got among the wickets early.
He sent Finn Allen’s middle stump cartwheeling, and he also bowled Jock McKenzie.
Randell returned to capture Neesham’s wicket with the old full-toss trap.
His haul of four for 49 represented another fine outing for the right-armer.
