Rouchel chased down Bunnan’s challenging total of 178 with four overs to spare at home thanks to Nate Atkinson’s crucial knock of 68.

Atkinson also earlier chipped in with 2/26 to help restrict Bunnan’s score, while Andrew Clydsdale bagged 4/41.

Bunnan’s Mick Soper starred for his side with both bat and ball, posting 40 runs before picking up 4/31.

The tight victory means Rouchel remains in third place, ahead of Bunnan but trailing Aberdeen 2 and the Golden Fleece Warriors.

The top two sides clashed at McNab Oval, and it was the Warriors who resigned Aberdeen 2 to its second consecutive defeat.

An unbeaten half century from Golden Fleeces’ James Smart (55 not out) and a handy contribution by Isaac Smith (22) helped their side reach 8/176.

Aberdeen 2 could only muster 89 in reply, but their lower order provided strong resistance. Jeremy Smith (17 not out) and Brad Baker (16) fought back after they were reduced to 6/40 at one point.

In B grade, Merriwa Cricket Club came out on top in the local derby against Merriwa RSL.

A total of 78 proved to be enough for Merriwa as RSL collapsed to be all out for 49.

Will Gell tore through RSL to claim figures of 6/8, while Ben Bartlett top-scored for Merriwa with 20.

RSL’s James Stokes had earlier impressed with the ball, picking up 5/25 to restrict Merriwa to a manageable total score.

Other results in the division saw Bellmore Bulls 1 defeat Belltrees by eight wickets, while Murrurundi edged Aberdeen 1 in a tense finish by five runs.

Upper Hunter District results for January 30: Warriors 8 / 176 defeated Aberdeen 2 -  89; Rouchel 9 / 182 defeated Bunnan 178; Belmore Hotel Bulls 2 / 61 defeated Belltrees 57; Murrurundi 9 / 185 defeated Aberdeen 9 / 180; Merriwa 78 defeated Merriwa RSL 49.

* Warriors 8 / 176 off 40 overs. J Smart 55*, I Smith 22, C Brennan 16, D Riley 14. B Baker 3 / 21, B Parkinson 2 / 39.

Aberdeen 2 89 off 32 overs. J Smith 17*, B Baker 16, B Parkinson 15.

W King 2 / 6, C Story 2 / 12, J Harrison 2 / 19, I Smith 2 / 21.

* Rouchel  9 / 182 off 36 overs. N Atkinson 68, S Brooker 22, P Fleming 15, D O’Donnell 14. M Soper 4 / 31, L Cheshire  3 / 33.

Bunnan 178 off 39 overs. M Soper 40, G Holland 29, J Strong 21*, L Cheshire 21. A Clydsdale 4 / 41, N Atkinson 2 / 26, S Brooker 2 / 45.

* Belmore Hotel Bulls 1 – 2 / 61 off 22 overs. C Murray 27*, R Lawrence 23*. B McCosker 1 / 13.

Belltrees 57 off 27 overs. J Teague 20. G Newton – Smith 4 / 9, M Dawson 3 / 18, T Carter 2 / 4.

* Murrurundi 9 / 185 off 40 overs. M Cameron 77, A Marshall 25, A Juratwich 22. E Tickle 3 / 30, G Latham 2 / 20

Aberdeen 1 -  9 / 180 off 40 overs. E Tickle 34, M Brabant 29, R Bennett 25, B Miller 21, M Sharma 16, G Latham 15. D Rea 2 / 24, S Tuckwell 2 / 27.

* Merriwa 78 off 27 overs. B Bartlett 20, W Gell 10. J Stokes 5 / 25, N Blackadder 3 / 25, C Stokes 2 / 14.

Merriwa RSL 49 off 19 overs. A Kelly 13. W Gell 6 / 8, P Gilby 2 / 12, B Bartlett, 1 / 7.