CRICKET
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
SOUTH Wagga is in a strong position to inflict Wagga City its first loss of the season after a dominant performance on Saturday.
The Blues sent a reminder to the competition it will be a major player in this year's competition after dismissing the unbeaten Cats for 163 at Wagga Cricket Ground.
South Wagga is 2-75 in reply and only need a further 89 runs for victory.
South Wagga captain Joel Robinson hit an unbeaten 59 at the top of the order but will retire due to his representative commitments with Riverina next week.
He is unable to be replaced at the crease so South Wagga is effectively three wickets down with seven in hand.
Robinson admits the Blues are in a strong position.
"We should be right from here," Robinson said.
"We need another 90 odd but we've still got plenty of batting to come."
South Wagga has 53 overs remaining to get the 89 runs so time will not be an issue, as it was in last week's narrow loss to Wagga RSL.
Grant Forrest is at the crease unbeaten on seven and South Wagga still have the likes of Mitch Sykes, Luke Gerhard and Jeremy Rowe to bat.
Earlier in the day, South Wagga shared its wickets between Jake Hindmarsh, Sykes and Forrest.
Hindmarsh picked up the first three wickets of the innings and then Sykes cleaned through the middle order.
All of Wagga City's top seven batsmen got starts but were unable to go on.
The Cats were 4-131 at one stage but then crumbled to lose its final six wickets for just 32 runs.
Forrest continued his strong season to tear through the tail and claim the last four wickets.
Robinson was pleased with a disciplined effort from the Blues' bowlers.
"They did well," he said.
"Jake bowled really well and did it with a broken toe.
"Sykesy bowled 20 overs for hardly any runs and got three wickets, and could have had a few more.
"Then Foz went through them late."
Craig Footman top scored for Wagga City with 24.