An outright win over St Michaels at Wagga Cricket Ground on Saturday earned the Bulldogs a place in the finals. 

The Saints put themselves in the box set for the last finals positions coming into the final two-day match of the season and pushed Wagga RSL out of the top four, but fell at the final hurdle.

The Bulldogs were on top after day one and continued their dominance of the match.

Happy the season continues, captain Sam Perry is still looking for an improved display with the bat.

Making 146 to lead by 54 runs on the first innings, St Michaels were bowled out for 116, with Tim Cameron taking four wickets.

Chasing 63 runs for victory, RSL were six down when the winning runs were hit and that’s the area Perry wants his team to improve.

Turning around their season, the skipper believes there is plenty of improvement in the team.

“We still haven’t peaked,” Perry said.

“We bowled pretty well but our batting still let us down a fair bit.

“No one should be 6-60, but we got over the line and live to fight another week.”

Perry top scored with 43 in the first innings before Joe Kenny (21) and Todd Henderson (23 not out) scored the bulk of the runs in the second innings.

Batting has been letting down the Bulldogs all season, but it was good enough this match to reverse five-match losing sequence.

Wagga RSL will face Kooringal Colts in the knock-out semi-final, and despite the Colt losing its last two matches Perry is expecting to face a much bigger test.

“The boys really dug deep in the second innings and showed good form for the finals,” Perry said.

“It has given us a lot of confidence and after a chat in the sheds everyone is keen for this week.

“They’ve lacked in runs in the last couple of weeks but I believe they are still the best team in the comp.”