The latter managed its best score of the season with 165, but was unfortunately well beaten with the bat as the Bushrangers picked up 289 in what proved to comfortable victory.

The home side ran rampant at Belltrees Sports Ground, with three batsman picking up half centuries as they continued their push for the top four.

Jake Teague (69), Josh Noble (72) and Tim Johnson (55) raised the bat in a string of solid performances that seemingly put the Blues out of the game before they took to the crease.

Thomas Hogan took three wickets for the away side but, as with most bowlers, was expensive going for 7.8 runs per over.

Noman Jawaad resumed his regular place at the top of the Blues’ batting scorecard, picking up a respectable 38, which included four boundaries.

Logan White caused the problems for Brook Blue with the ball, claiming four wickets for 31 runs from his full eight overs.

While it wasn’t a perfect performance, it was certainly an improvement on their shocking 33-run total from last week, which was until this round, the worst tally of the season.

However, that unfortunate record was even more unfortunately trumped by their counterparts Brook Silver, who managed just 22 runs against a rampant Murrurundi.

Batting for just 12.5 overs in the second innings, they fell 159 runs short of their opponent in an effort they’ll be keen to forget.

Jake Bartush was top scorer with nine, which fell well short of JD McClymont’s innings as he picked up 44, twice his opponent’s final total. 

McClymont and Jake Chapple will have to fight for the Kookaburra as they both picked up five scalps in the dominant display.

With Silver short on confidence and Blue fresh off the back of their season’s top score, the derby next week is set to be a truly enticing clash.​

Going around the grounds, Merriwa toppled Belltrees by 39 runs in their famed day-night match, and Rouchel chased down 232 in a high-scoring match against Bunnan and the Bulls enjoyed a four-wicket victory over Aberdeen.