Wagga RSL v St Michaels
WAGGA RSL have reversed their recent run of outs to put themselves firmly back into finals contention.
It's been three months and six rounds since the Bulldogs enjoyed a win, but they put themselves on top against St Michaels at Wagga Cricket Ground on Saturday.
St Michaels won the toss and batted, but struggled as Wagga RSL bowlers got on top.
Ben Woolmer top-scored with 26, but the Saints failed to reach 100 as the Bulldogs bowled them out for 92 in the 43rd over.
In response, Wagga RSL have already taken first-innings honours.
Surpassing the Saints' modest total four wickets down, the Bulldogs are 23 runs in front with five wickets still in hand.
Vice-captain Todd Henderson is looking to press on their advantage when the two-day match resumes on Saturday.
"We have about 45 overs to bat and still have Gage (Baxter) and Sam (Perry) in there at the moment," Henderson said.
"They batted really well to close out the day (Saturday) so we will look to bat as long as we can next week.
"Bat our full overs and hopefully bat them right out of it."
Captain Perry remains unbeaten on 37 while Baxter will resume on 14.
The pair have put on 39 runs for the fifth wicket and made sure their team earned first-innings points.
Henderson said the team was always going to bowl regardless of who won the toss and was pleased with the bowlers' efforts.
Sharing the wickets, Nick Grant, Kris Bradbury, Luke Oakley, Tim Cameron and Perry all picked up two dismissals.
"The boys bowled really well, stuck to their lines and stuck to the plan we spoke about and it paid off," Henderson said.
"We wanted to bowl consistent line and length, in good areas, and keep the pressure on the batsmen."
St Michaels looked as if they had turned their season around in the new year, but came unstuck in the last match before the finals.
Two wins, including an outright over Kooringal Colts, moved the Saints into a finals position as the Bulldogs slid into fifth.
However, Wagga RSL fought back just when it counted.
