The match between the two local sides, the Come Alive Fitness Crusaders and the Central Hotel Rams, saw the defending premiers the Crusaders run down the Central's score of 94 to finish with 8/99 in the 36th over.

The major talking point was the pitch, which has had a major upgrade over the past 16 months.

The centre of the pitch, 14 metres by eight metres, was ripped out, replaced with new soil, and returfed.

Most thought the pitch played well, with plenty of even bounce.

Due to forecast of rain midweek, the pitch was extensively covered. The rain did not arrive, which kept some moisture in the deck.

The new lights were turned on with a phone application at 7pm.

Once again, there were many favourable comments about the excellent quality of the lights.

The lights were turned off just after 11pm.

The new lights are a great asset to Fisher Park for winter and summer sports.

The Central Hotel really came to play and its score of just 94 was competitive. Their top-scorer was Troy Warner with 22.

Crusaders' Dean Bradley was the pick of the bowlers, capturing 4/21. In quest of 95 runs for victory, the Crusaders had to work for the victory. A number of batsmen got starts. Scott Meale, 17, James Smith, 13, and Darren Connell, 14.

In the second part of the match, with high humidity, the ball jagged around a lot, which made scoring difficult. Once the lights took full effect, the pink ball moved around a lot.

The recommendation for future day/nights matches is to use white balls.

Joel Pearson playing in only his second match of the season was the pick of the bowlers, capturing 2/26 from ten overs.

The fact that the Central Hotel bowled 18 wides has proved costly in the outcome of the match.

Luke Izzard guided the Crusaders to victory with a fine knock of 25 not out.

At Cranfield Oval in Young, the local derby between the Young Services Blues and the Australian Hotel Coyotes was one of the best matches of the season

Batting first the Blues made the competitive score of 8/208. The Coyotes ran down the score with just three balls to spare finishing with 8/209.

In the BFB/Blooms Chemist competition, Stockinbingal were thrashed by the Shamrock Hotel Leprechauns.

The boys from the Shamrock Hotel scored 209 and then routed Stockinbingal for just 94.

Meanwhile, the Cootamundra Ex-Services Magpies write forced to forfeit their match against the Criterion Gunners due to players playing in the Beach Volley Ball carnival.

Next Saturday is the final of the home and away season before the finals start on Saturday week.