But, round seven did produce some positives.

Silver was once again let down by its batting performance, only making 77, but will take solace in the fact they kept second-placed Rouchel to just 149 from their 40 overs.

The bowling effort could’ve been even better had opener Jake Bartush not been forced off injured in the early stages of the match.

Having already removed star batsman Nate Atkinson for a duck, Bartush attempted a caught and bowled but was instead struck on the top of the finger causing it to break, with a further hospital visit revealing further tendon and ligament damage.

Regardless, the Brooks pushed on and other bowlers stepped up, with spin duo Boston and Cooper Gageler taking five wickets between them.

A silver lining could also be found in the form of Kyle Erickson, who donned the gloves for the first time this season and took three catches as well as being extremely tidy behind the stumps.

​He was also involved in a bizarre incident involving Rouchel player Lachlan Cheshire, who had almost been run out twice in six deliveries, relying on fielding errors to save him.

However, he once again took off for a run after hitting the ball directly to a fielder, and proceeded to stand frozen in the middle of the pitch as C. Gageler threw the ball in to Erickson, who rather belatedly knocked the bails off as everyone wondered what was going through the batsman’s head.

But, the batting innings never really got going for Brook Silver, and it became clear the score wasn’t getting caught with just 10 men.

Eventually falling 72 runs short, they’ll look towards the wicket of Rouchel’s number 6, David O’Donnell who scored 59 runs, and the handling of Atkinson’s bowling, who took four wickets, as the aspects that turned the game against them.

Brook Blue took part in a short game at Merriwa, getting rolled for just 85 runs in 31.1 overs, before the ladder leaders claimed an easy 10-wicket victory, chasing the total in just 60 deliveries. 

Brad Strachan was the day’s top scorer with 51, while Peter Cooper made 25 for the Brooks, raising another $50 for the Movember cause.

Around the grounds, Belltrees got the better of Bunnan with a nine-wicket win, the Bulls chased down the Bushrangers with seven batsman left over, and Murrurundi forced its way into the top four with a six-wicket victory over Aberdeen.