BROOK Silver travelled a long way for no reward, while the Blues’ improvement came to a screeching halt at the weekend.
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Both were on the wrong end of the two worst losses in round six, the latter went down by 127 which was only outdone by the former’s shellacking at the hands of Merriwa by 195 runs.
Silver’s ever-changing line-up was exposed as they brought in two players without a game to their name this season, and another who had only seen action once.
As a result, they conceded 265 runs at Apex Oval in Merriwa, renowned for its short boundaries, but couldn’t use the smaller dimensions themselves as they stumbled to 70 before being dismissed.
Captain Jarrod Watts was the pick of the away bowlers with 2-29 from eight overs.
But, it was Jayden Parker who made the most important breakthrough by removing Greg Sheehan who was on 71 at the time.
That prevented the side having an individual century against their name, which is more than can be said for the Blues, who fell victim to a 102-run effort from Belltrees’ Hayden Quinlivan.
Will Osmond was also in control with the bat for the travelling top-four team, as he made it to an unbeaten 55 on their way to 8-242.
Cameron Eckersley put in a good shift with the ball for the home side, taking 3-40 in gruelling conditions, but their batters failed to convert on any starts with the best score being Noman Jawaad’s 33.
Osmond was also dominant with the ball leaving no questions as to who was man of the match, taking an incredible 6-21.
It will be a tough ask for either side to bounce back next week, as the Blues get set to endure the trip out to top spot Merriwa, while Silver will host second-placed Rouchel at Weeraman Fields.
In other results, Aberdeen defeated Bunnan by 25 runs, Rouchel held on against the Belmore Bulls to win by one wicket and Bushrangers claimed victory over Murrurundi by 23.