They went down to Lithgow by 23 runs on Saturday but bounced back to annihilate Molong by 173 runs courtesy of a captain’s century from Stuart Bromley.

Bromley scored 124 as Gulgong reached 7-355 from their 50 overs against last season’s finalists.

Matt Knudson also chipped in with a handy 73 runs.

Bromley and the Coolah player added 125 runs for the fourth-wicket as the Molong bowlers were picked apart.

In reply, Molong got their own back with their opening batsmen Brett Wykes and Trent Frazer scoring 94 runs for the first-wicket.

Wykes was dismissed for 49 and Frazer scored 73 before he was caught off the bowling of Damian Doherty.

Like he did for Goolma in the first round of Gulgong cricket, Doherty was the star with the ball.

He picked up 4-32 from eight overs as Molong fell to pieces in the later overs.

They lost their last seven wickets for 30 runs as Gulgong dismissed Molong for 182.

The big victory gives Gulgong plenty of confidence heading into this weekend’s Country Plate clash against Gilgandra, but more importantly, their Rod Hartas campaign remains alive.

Gulgong were stunned by Lithgow on Saturday after the latter defended their 9-168 total.

Lithgow were in dire straits as they fell to 8-112 but a knock of 59 from Dallas Tilley and a few runs by the tail saw Lithgow reach 9-168.

Gulgong would have been confident of reaching the target but started poorly – and never recovered.

They slumped to 7-68 and later 9-112 before Damian Doherty and Mick Jarvis nearly got their side over the line.

Doherty finished unbeaten on 23 and Jarvis made 13. Steve Haney top scored with 27.

Gulgong will need to beat the President’s XI on November 2 to progress through to the final.

Gulgong team to play Gilgandra on Sunday: Stuart Bromley (c), Mark Hundy, Dion Hollow, Jared Clulow, Matt Knudson, Darren Coubrough, Steve Haney, Mick Jarvis, Nathan Lane, Luke Norris, Andus Honeysett, Cal Ruming.