The win keeps Kinross firmly in fourth place, 12 points clear of fifth placed Waratahs.

After winning the toss and batting first, Kinross started in the worst way possible, losing two wickets in the first over.

Cameron Williams (18) and Sam Nicholls (27) steadied the ship before Chris Gavin worked his way to 62, leading Kinross to 164.

Hugh Brown continued his good run of form with the ball, taking 2-26 for Waratahs.

Waratahs’ chase never really got going, with regular wickets falling around opener Nick Frail, who carried his bat for 68 not out.

No other Waratahs batsmen hit double figures.

Kinross quick Hugh Britton, fresh off Bradman Cup selection, ran through the Waratahs top order, finishing with 4-33.

Kinross leg spinner Tom Rogers also picked up multiple scalps, taking 3-10.

Andrew Litchfield, the students’ coach, said it was good to go into the Christmas break on a positive note.

“I’d have probably liked a bit more than 160, but it was a good effort to recover the way we did,” he said. “Chris Gavin finally got some time out there, and Sammy Nicholls batted really well in the middle too.”

Litchfield said the middle order contributions were encouraging leading into the two-day competition after the two-week break.

“All of this year we’ve been relying on opening partnerships,” he said.

“It was great to see the guys in the middle order, who hadn’t been scoring many, get some runs in that situation.

“And the boys’ bowling and fielding was great again.”

Waratahs vice-captain Adam Brakenridge said it was the same old story for the sky blues, ruing the lack of consistency his troops are showing.

“We’re bowling pretty well, but we aren’t doing it through the whole innings,” he said.

“Lewis [Freeth], Hugh and Suggo [Craig Sugden] all bowled well, but then the part-timers came on and Kinross got after them.

“We never got going with the bat, but we were understrength again. We’ll do well when we get our full-strength team on the paddock.”