The ladder leaders secured victory by eight wickets over the ninth placed side who made 83, although it was a good fightback after they fell to 3-3 near the beginning of their innings.

Joel Barner managed to top score for Silver with 19, while captain and vice Jarrod Watts and Mason Solly both chipped in with 12 runs.

However, the score was caught in just 14 overs as Merriwa pulled no punches, targeting talented youngster Cooper Gaegler, although he was able dismiss Brad Strachan after finding the opener’s top edge.

The away team spread the wickets around, however Charlie Stokes finished with the best statistics, taking 2-12 from his full 8 overs.

Brook Blue had a rougher day as Belltrees looked to make a strong statement that they were still in the finals race, defeating the bottom-placed side by 159 runs at Belltrees Sports Ground.

Hayden Quinlivan and Brad McCosker shared the honours of top scorer in that match with both of them making an impressive 54 runs, although club president Ben McCrae would have a claim to being best on ground after taking 3-7.

Dom Cooper was comfortably the Blues’ best performer after capturing four scalps and contributing an undefeated 19 with the bat.

With just three games of the season remaining, both Brook sides remain in the bottom two positions, which puts them on track for a Muswellbrook derby in the C grade grand final following the home and away rounds’ end.

In other results in round 15, Bushrangers defeated Murrurundi by 115 runs, Bulls got the best of Rouchel by 22 and Bunnan’s match against Aberdeen was abandoned due to rain.