A Brock Larance-inspired CYMS was cruising against the ladder-leaders and reached 1-100 when drinks was called after 15 overs.

But Bruce, who’s career as a leading tearaway in the RSL-Whitney Cup has been hampered by injury in recent seasons, was handed the ball by captain Nathan Munro soon after.

He had Tom Coad caught behind for 28 after a 125-run stand with Larance with just his third ball and next delivery the returning Lachlan Strachan was adjudged lbw.

Bruce missed out on his hat-trick but next over Rugby was cheering again when Larance was dismissed for a brilliant and hard-hitting 107.

The collapse of 4/4 completed next over when Bruce bowled Ben Strachan (0) with a peach of a swinging yorker.

Bruce finished with 3/9 from his four overs while Ben Taylor (4/29) knocked over the tail as Rugby fought back to dismiss the Cougars for 217.

Ben Wheeler and Jacob Hill punished anything too full or straight as the chase began and helped Rugby reach 0/65 at the first drinks.

Hill (43) chopped on with the score at 94 before Wheeler fell shortly after reaching his half century.

The Cougars had a sniff when James O’Brien (16) and Nathan Munro (7) departed but the returning Jordan Moran (40 not out) controlled the chase perfectly in just his second dig for Rugby this season while Aidan Bennewith (46 not out) belted his side to a strong six-wicket win.

Thomas Nelson (2/37) was the sole multiple wicket-taker for the Cougars, who got beat with 3.2 overs to spare.

Rugby now sits seven points clear at the top while bottom-placed CYMS is 14 points off fifth-placed Macquarie.