The result leaves Canowindra eight points adrift of fourth-placed Morongla with only one match left to play.

Yet again it was Brus who was the chief destroyer snaring 5-9 from eight overs – including Canowindra run machine Tim Kennedy for a duck – to rout the hosts for 108 in response to Grenfell’s 136.

Brus has taken a staggering 14 wickets in his last three matches against Canowindra at an unbelievable average of 2.71.

He has largely been responsible for Canowindra failing to beat Grenfell in their four clashes this season, leaving Troy Adams and his side to lament what could have been in season 2007-08 after a bright beginning.

Grenfell squirmed their way to 9-136 from 40 overs on Saturday, with the help of prolific run-getter Ben Mitton (43) and Brus (30).

Matt Devlin continued his outstanding season for Canowindra with 2-28 from 11 overs. Tim Kennedy and Wayne Rue (both 2-32) were the other multiple wicket-takers for Canowindra in an excellent bowling and fielding performance.

But as good as their bowling and fielding has been in the second half of the season, they’re batting has badly punctured their play-off aspirations.

Craig Carpenter (25) was the only batsman to pass 20, as Brus showcased his vast array of skills.

Mitton (0-9 off seven) halted the scoring through the important opening exchanges as Canowindra were bowled out in the 38th over, and with it they’re finals hopes.

Grenfell can nail down second spot – an all-important position pending the possibility of rain in the first week of the play-offs – if they can down Valleys at home on Saturday.