The Silver Slugs and Brook Blue took to the field in the final round before the Christmas break, and both sides had something to play for.

Given the predicted temperature of 45 degrees, the starting time was pushed back to make it a day-night match, providing a touch of relief from the scorching sun.

After an improved performance from both teams this season, it was a match that had a lot at stake with a climb up the ladder and some confidence heading into the second half of the season up for grabs.

Ultimately, it was the young Slugs who came out on top, putting together an incredibly healthy total of 206 from their 30 overs and only losing 7 wickets in the process.

The Blues could only manage 113 in response, with all bar two of their batsman failing to make double-figures.

Lachlan Watts was the star of the day for Silver, taking 3 wickets and scoring a match-high 49 runs in the comprehensive victory.

Shaun Wilkins, Jack Mann and skipper Jarrod Watts also contributed well with bat in hand, making 43, 35 and 26 respectively.

Blues' captain Peter Turnbull was good in the field as he dismissed Wilkins and Jayden Parker, as well as running out Alec Duncan and taking a catch to get rid of Mann, however he was slightly expensive with the ball and finished with an economy of 7.3.

He also picked up a duck, meaning Dom Cooper would probably lay the best claim to being their best player.

His stats of 4.3 per over from 6, on top of a wicket and team-high total of 35 ensured no one could fault his effort on the day.

The result saw the Slugs leapfrog their rivals on the table, now sitting equal on points but possessing a stronger percentage.

J. Watts was understandably thrilled with his team's performance, and said it's been building for a while.

"[The] win was very pleasing, we have been playing good cricket against some of the quality teams in the competition so we are very pleased with our form," he said.

"We are starting to get full strength with players returning from injuries and are looking forward to the run home."

He also took time to make comments on the success of the twilight fixture.

"The night game was outstanding and a first in Muswellbrook, everyone enjoyed it," he stated.

"There was even a buzz around the spectators and the crowd was double what is normally there, even players from other teams came and witnessed what it was like and some even offered to play us in more day-night games in the near future."

They now sit eight on the table, just eight points behind the Bushrangers, who themselves had a lucky escape against Souths.

In that match, the start time was pushed forward to midday in attempt to avoid the heat, although in reality it probably had the opposite effect as conditions didn't begin to cool before the match ended.

And, despite failing to bat through to 30 overs all season, Souths managed to stay in the middle for the whole innings, losing just 3 wickets and making 178 - which was also their highest total of the season.

With such an effort, you could've been tricked into believing that openers Joseph Chandler and Steve Unicomb were solar powered, although their 'conservative' approach to running between the wickets quickly dispelled those suspicions.

The latter still made a half century however, and has shown Souths are a much better team when he is in it.

Unfortunately for the bottom placed side, they couldn't quite hold off the Bushrangers who won the match with 11 balls to go and just one wicket in hand.

It was a performance that will no doubt encourage the squad though, and their second half of the season could see some victories.