KOORINGAL skipper Keenan Hanigan knows the Wagga cricket ladder will "take care of itself" if the Colts continue to perform on the park.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Kooringal secured its second win of the season on Saturday to keep in touch with the remainder of the competition.
The Colts won the toss and sent themselves in to bat against St Michaels at McPherson Oval.
Debutant Jeff Angel failed to make his mark and was dismissed for three, as Kooringal lost two early wickets to be 2-16.
The middle order of Ben Webster (40), Sam Whitfield (20) and Jeremy Bunn (23) steadied the innings as the Colts batted their way to 9-139.
St Michaels looked a good thing when it reached triple figures with five wickets in hand, but lost the remaining five for just 13 runs to be bowled out for 124 in the 36th over.
Hanigan said he wasn't worried by his team's 139-run total and was always confident they could defend it.
"I thought it would be at least competitive...it was a slow outfield and in the end 139 was just enough," Hanigan said.
"We bowled well, Ray Stephens got four wickets and bowled nice and tight towards the end."
Hanigan says morale around the Kooringal camp is high heading into the general bye this week.
"Everyone was stoked, it was good last (Saturday) night to see everyone smiling and enjoying it again," he said.
"It was a great team effort so the boys should be proud."
Hanigan expects Angel and fellow first grade debutant Luke Hillier to keep their spots in the team for next week's clash with South Wagga.
Both players were promoted to replace opening bat Tom Cox and quick bowler Brad Ryan, who dropped to second grade.
Hillier has just moved to Wagga and opened the bowling on Saturday.
"He did OK, I think he was a bit nervous but he will be better for the run," Hanigan said.
"It's hard changing a team after a win like that."
Kooringal will have a light training session tomorrow night and take the weekend off to refresh before preparing for the run into finals.