The 17-year-old posted the second Bathurst District Cricket Association first grade 50 of his career last Saturday at a time when St Pat’s Old Boys really needed it.

He arrived at the crease with the Saints in trouble against defending premiers Rugby Union at 4-56. But he crafted an impressive 59 to form a 113-run partnership with Connor Slattery, hitting three boundaries and a pair of sixes as he helped swing momentum.

It helped Rugby reach stumps on day one of the two-day match at 6-203. 

It was not the first time he’d played that sort of role with the bat against Rugby either. Last season he hit 61 in 132-run sixth-wicket stand with Ben Mitchell.

“I think is just coincidence I’ve been making a few runs against Rugby, they’re always a good team and you always want to stand up against the good opposition in Bathurst. It’s nice to get runs against them, especially with some of the players they have,” he said.

“I had to do a job for my team, get myself set and spend a bit of time in the middle for them.”

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The following day Brien padded up for the Bathurst under 19s side in its Mitchell Cricket Council match against Mudgee.

He again impressed with the willow as he cracked an unbeaten 121 and just as he had done in club cricket, went beyond 50 courtesy of a six.

“It was a long day out there but it was good, it was good to help that side get some runs too,” Brien said.

“I’m not known for hitting may sixes, so it’s always a good when I do. It wasn’t a plan, not at all, I just saw a bad ball there and wanted to hit it, I did my best to get it over.”

Those two efforts with the bat reflect how Brien’s game has improved since making his first grade debut last summer. He now feels more at home facing Bathurst’s top bowlers.

“It was a different step coming up from second grade last year. Having those few games last year especially helped coming into this year, it makes you feel a bit more comfortable,” he said.

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“Adam Ryan is great to have around the team, he’s a really good captain and puts a lot of faith in you to do a job out there.”

As for pushing on to seal victory against Rugby at Scots School this Saturday, Brien has faith his Saints can get the job done.

“We’ve got to bowl very well, it would be good if we could get the win, especially where we came from after last week,” he said.

“I think we are probably going to bat for a little while longer, look for 40 or 50 more runs on the board. With the bowling attack we have, we’re pretty confident we can knock them over.”