THE new year has brought a change of fortunes for St Michaels, after the Saints scored a big win over Kooringal Colts on Saturday.

In the battle between the first and last-placed teams, it was the underdogs who caused a big shock.

Chasing down Kooringal Colts' first inning total of 129 for the loss of three wickets, St Michaels have the chance to push for a bigger result as the finals loom.

Coach Jordan Lawrence was thrilled with the performance, but is cautious ahead of the second day's play.

"We still have to wait and see," Lawrence said.

"We are in a good position and have a couple of options to play out.

"We are definitely in the box seat to be able to do and we definitely need all the points we can get."

Sending the Colts in at Forest Hill, the decision made early dividends.

Chase Grintell picked up to wickets and Dave Garness claimed the in-form Dave Bolton as the Colts stumbled to 3-3.

Kooringal continued to lose wickets consistently, before Brenden O'Reilly and Jeremy Bunn put some respectability into the scoreline.

The pair put on the biggest partnership, of 45 before the Saints struck again.

In his first first grade appearance of the season, O'Reilly scored 34 before the first of Ben Woolmer's three victims.

Bunn (51) continued his resistance and was the last man out just after bringing up his half-century.

Saints started well in response, with Lawrence making 35 at the top of the innings.

New recruits Woolmer and Ryan Forsyth then put on 71 to ram home the Saint's ascendancy.

Forsyth (63) was playing his first match for the Saints and Woolmer (36) his second, but both have had an immediate impact.

Lawrence put down much of the team's form turnaround to the new additions.

"We've had a couple of ins since Christmas which has definitely helped," Lawrence said.

"Ryan Forsyth came in for this game and batted exceptionally and getting a couple of wins early has just got the morale up."

Coming in a strong position Forsyth's innings ensured the Saints have a chance to force an outright result.

"He batted at number five and was very important," Lawrence said.

"He looked solid from the get go and we laid the foundations early with our top three or four, which definitely helped him come in and play his shots."

With Lake Albert and Wagga RSL both behind in their matches, Saints have the chance to really push for fourth position and a finals berth.

Coming into the round they were 15 points behind Wagga RSL, but an outright win would quickly cut into the deficit.