Knowles came in at 3-60 in Brown Hill’s pursuit of the 284 runs set by North Ballarat in round two action of the Ballarat Cricket Association first grade.

Knowles and fellow experienced teammate Nathan Smith (74 runs) put on 106 to put Brown Hill into a winning position. Knowles would go on to make 114 off 107 balls as the Bulls fell 37 runs short, Knowles holding out in the search of quick runs as he was rapidly running out of partners. 

“I felt pretty comfortable (out in the middle),” Knowles said.

“I was trying to tick it over a little bit because we only had a wicket or two in hand.

“It wasn’t a bad performance, but obviously disappointing we didn’t get over the line.”

Knowles said while it was disappointing to not chase down the total, it was a promising performance.

Ups and downs will be a part of the Bulls season this year, but it was important to take the positives where they could.

“It was a pretty good effort to get to where we were.

“At the start of the day, when you’re chasing 280, and you get to 250, it’s not too bad of an effort.

“It was a good performance overall.

“It was probably our bowling that let us down last week.”

Brown Hill hosts Napoleons-Sebastopol in round three BCA action on Saturday, day one of the two-day clash.