BRETT Ernst believes Bradshaw’s double success over runaway Premiership leaders Walkden shows his side are far better than their otherwise disappointing league campaign suggests.

The former Edgworth captain, who moved to The Rigby’s as skipper ahead of 2018, has had little to shout about in league cricket.

They have shown far more in the various cup competitions, and were yesterday tackling Farnworth in the semi-finals of the Hamer Cup.

But it just hasn’t happened for them in a competition which Ernst was desperate to win back in April.

Saturday’s five-wicket home success chasing 214, to which Ernst contributed an unbeaten 48, was only their sixth from 13 matches (added to seven defeats).

Two of those have come against a Walkden side who are 13 points clear of second-placed Farnworth Social Circle with five games to play. Walkden’s only two league defeats have come against a Bradshaw side in sixth.

“It was a very good result,” said Ernst. “It was a game of hard-toil cricket between two good teams.

“I think we’re a good team, but we’ve just not had the luck this year. Our league position probably isn’t a true reflection of where we’re at.

“We had our disappointments, and the league table doesn’t lie in that regard. But we’ve knocked over Walkden twice this year, and there’s nobody else going to be able to say they’ve done that.

“I’ve spoken previously about how far we’ve got in the various cup competitions.

“We’ve done some good things this year, but we haven’t followed it through.

“We are just starting to really gain some confidence as a group. It’s my job to keep pushing the fact we are good enough, and it’s starting to sink in with the boys.”

Walkden, invited to bat, were bowled out for 213 inside 48 overs.

Opener Tayler Heyes carried his bat for a majestic 136 not out off 125 balls, while only two other batsmen reached double figures. Leg-spinner Jordan Mason starred with 5-51 from 17 overs.

In reply, Bradshaw were only pressurised when they were reduced to 161-5. Stuart Hornby opened with 63, while new professional Rumesh Buddhika hit 37. Ernst and Mason, who finished 38 not out, shared an unbroken 56 for the sixth wicket to seal the win in 48 overs.

Ernst added: “I mentioned a few weeks ago about best amateurs in the competition, and we spoke about Chris Barrow and Tom Liversedge. At the moment, the way Jordy Mason’s season’s shaping, he’s put himself into the mix,”

“Tayler Heyes batted brilliantly. It was a super knock, and he deserves all the plaudits that come his way. Well done to him. Unfortunately I put him down, but he capitalised.

“We worked hard and got ourselves back into the game because they were on top early as Heyes and Alex Roberts set a good foundation. The fact we bowled them out was really pleasing, and we knew 213 on Bradshaw was never going to be enough if we batted well. And we did.

“Stu Hornby got us off to a start, and run-rate was never going to be an issue.”