The Blues will now meet St Michaels next weekend to decide the minor premiership and the important top-spot ranking for finals.

Chasing 159 for victory, Wagga City needed 14 runs off the final over of the match, bowled by Nathan Cooke, but ultimately fell seven runs short to finish at 8-151.

South Wagga managed 9-158 from their 40 overs on the back of a half-century from Robinson (53), and a crucial 68-run partnership with Cooke (26).

Wagga City needed a run a ball for most of their final 20 overs, but came unstuck late as the Blues got deeper into their tail.

Robinson rates the win as one of the better ones he has been involved in.

“That’s probably one of the better wins I’ve played in over the last few years,” Robinson said.

“Given who we had out, that’s 20 overs and three of our top six order.”

South Wagga went in without classy all-rounder Mitch Sykes, as well as Grant Forrest and Blake Harper.

Wagga City were also missing key personnel, with Aaron Maxwell, Max Harper and Harry Rosengren all unavailable.

Wagga City coach Jon Nicoll was at the crease for a lot of the Cats’ innings and he had crafted 44 off 72 deliveries before holing out in the deep off the bowling of young spinner Ed Perryman.

Some big hitting from Adam Newcombe, who scored 34 off 40, helped Wagga City along but the run rate got away on the Cats in the final two overs.

Robinson said it was an important win for his team.

“It locks us into finals now,” he said.

“It was still 50-50 coming into this game, if we lost both our last two we could have missed out so it was good to get the win and we’re locked into the top two now, and we’ll be playing St Micks for the next couple of weeks, barring an outright.”

Robinson praised the efforts of a couple of his team mates who helped the Blues over the line.

“Cookie and I’s partnership was a key moment after we lost a group of wickets in the middle. It was a good opportunity for Cookie because he usually bats a bit lower when those other guys are back in,” he said.

“It was pretty pleasing to see him tough it out a little bit early on, and then play with some freedom after that.

“Sam Glyde was really good with the net nut as well. He didn’t take any wickets but he bowled really well, then our spinners were good again.”

Robinson also singled out praise for Wagga City’s Rachel Trenaman on debut.

“Rachel bowled well. She definitely gives the ball a got rip,” he said.

“She spun the ball more than anyone out there.”