Wagga City has stormed back up the Wagga City ladder courtesy of a big win over Wagga RSL at Wagga Cricket Ground on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Cats scored an outright win after bowling the winless Bulldogs twice in the match, moving them back into second place with one round before finals.
Some determined batting from Wagga RSL captain Todd Henderson ensured the Cats needed to bat a second time.
However they chased down the required 80 runs with five wickets in hand.
Captain-coach Jon Nicoll was thrilled to gain the outright win, even if it took longer than first anticipated.
“We were able to get over the line in the end but they showed plenty of resolve,” Nicoll said.
“They were obviously always going to bounce back after last week and that was admirable on their behalf.
“We had to chase an awkward total of 80 runs but it was good to have a good win.
“They really stuck it out and made us work for it but we were able to get the job done which was pleasing.”
Henderson proved to be the biggest hurdle, finishing unbeaten on 46.
He combined with Tim Cameron (45) for a 79-run last wicket partnership before his team was bowled out for 151.
Opening batsman Mitch Cawley came up with the breakthrough, snaring Cameron five short of his half century, but it was Nicoll who did the most of the damage.
After taking five dismissals in the first innings, Nicoll backed that up with another five-wicket haul.
He also finished unbeaten 18 with Jack Harper top scoring in the second innings.
When Harper was dismissed by Henderson for 35 it triggered a mini-collapse with the Cats losing 3-4 however Nicoll was able to steady the innings.
The big win moves them around Lake Albert and into second position on the ladder.
They remain 16 points in arrears of Kooringal Colts but more importantly have put a big gap between the chases.
Wagga City are 21 points clear of South Wagga, their rivals next week, and a further 2.5 points ahead of
Barring an outright loss to the Blues, Wagga City could lose next week and still be safe but Nicoll doesn’t want to go in with that attitude.
“Hopefully that gets us into a finals position now but every game is a final for us,” he said.
“We’ve treated it like that for the last four to five weeks and even next week it is another finals game.
“Hopefully we can continue to play alright.”
Despite being a beneficiary of the big win, Nicoll would like to see the points system overhauled next season, labelling it ridiculous.