Together Broes (40 off 17) and Brien (31 off 11) put on a 57-run partnership that saw their side to a nine-wicket win over Centennials Bulls in their Bathurst Orange Inter District Cricket match at Morse Park 1.

It was a bonus-point win which keeps them in second on the ladder.

"The rain came down straight after we finished, so we were pretty lucky. We knew before we went out that the rain was going to come down pretty shortly, so we thought we better get the game done quickly," Brien said.

Having batted well for Bathurst's Western Zone Premier League side against Parkes six days earlier, Broes and Brien were in good touch.

They came together with the Saints at 1-19 chasing 75 for victory. The total wasn't big, but the duo knew they did not have time on their side.

So the pair unleashed in a brutal 16 minutes, finishing with nine boundaries and four sizes between them.

"It was nice to go and have a bit of freedom, it was really good. I just went out there knowing the rain was going to come so it would be best if we went hard so we could get the result we wanted," Brien said.

"I've been seeing them pretty good, so hopefully I can continue the form throughout the season. It definitely did feel good and Nic was seeing them as well as he has any other week, so it was good to have a cool, calm head down the other end."

READ MORE: Taylor out to impress for Western Zone at the Country Championships

READ MORE: First XI captain Adam Ryan says its a privilege to play for Bathurst

READ MORE: Ben Cant crashes 78 off 47 to keep ORC's Bonnor Cup finals hopes alive

Before Brien and Broes got their chance to bat, the Saints were sweating on winning the toss against a Bulls side looking to make it back-to-back wins.

With regular wicket-keeper Andrew Brown unavailable and back-up gloveman and skipper Adam Ryan knowing he had to leave early for another commitment, the Saints' plan was to bowl if they won the toss.

The toss went their way and so too did things in the field with only three Bulls batsmen - Kyle Aubin (19), Kurt Toole (11) and Pat McCleary (16) - reaching double figures as they were bundled out for 74.

They lost their last six wickets in the space of 14 runs.

All the Saints bowlers did well, with Matt Fearnley (3-10 off four overs), Connor Slattery (3-18 off eight) and Broes (2-4 off two) enjoying the most success.

"They are always toiling away, so it's definitely good to have a few variants with our bowling," Brien said.

The win has the Saints sitting 13 points clear of third placed Rugby Union on the ladder, with only the undefeated Cavaliers ranked above them.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: