DESPITE not winning the match, Brook Silver put in arguably its best performance of the Upper Hunter District Cricket Association season in Belltrees, while the Blues had a day to forget at home.
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Silver fell just three runs short of the Bushrangers, who are still well in the fight for the top four, and made 173, which is their highest score of 2018-19.
This was led by captain Jarrod Watts and all-rounder Joel Barner, who made 43 apiece, trumping the opposition’s top scorer Broque Smith, who fought his way to 29.
Although it’s arguable Silver made a rod for its own back as the side conceded 30 extras, eight more than their opponents which proved costly at the end of the match.
Jake Teague was statistically best for the home side, making 19 with the bat before claiming three scalps with the Kookaburra.
They won’t take winner’s points away from the showdown but their confidence should be high going into home matches against Murrurundi and Brook Blue over the next fortnight.
Their opponent in two weeks’ time will certainly be looking for some sharp improvement, following a horrific loss to a weakened Rouchel side at Weeraman Fields on Saturday.
After being sent in to bat, they were on the back foot immediately and crumbled in a dire display to make just 34 runs.
The joint top scorers being number 11 bat Cody Tsaousis who finished on 7 not out, and veteran Peter Cooper.
Peter Turnbull continued his good bowling form though, taking both wickets as the visitors tracked down the tally in just 10 overs.
However, that was easily eclipsed by Rouchel’s Andrew Clydsdale who snapped up 5-24 from six overs.
Despite taking the same amount of points away from the weekend, there will be drastically different feelings in the respective sides this week.
Going around the grounds, Belltrees had the same feeling as Brook Silver, falling short by three runs to Belltrees, Bunnan were ladder leader Merriwa’s latest victim in a 114-run loss, and Murrurundi disposed of the Belmore Bulls by 81.