The Bulls have been crying out for a better batting performance with their place on the top four on the line, and they delivered it at Harris Park on Saturday.

Jacson Sommerville (44) started things off well at the top of the Lake Albert batting order.

He and Alex Smeeth (31) got off to a great start before Jesse Hampton picked up where Smeeth left off.

Hampton top scored with 81 while Adam Newcombe (42) also added some crucial runs for the Bulls.

Kooringal Colts captain Keenan Hanigan admitted his side has plenty of work to do.

“It was a disappointing day,” Hanigan said. “They batted really well, they were patient at the start then accelerated at the end and have a good score at the moment.”

Colts didn’t help themselves in the field with a couple of costly drops.

They included Hampton going down twice early on in his innings.

However Dave Bolton has been in great form this season and Kooringal will be looking for another big innings from the competition’s leading scorer.

Lake Albert’s total also shows there are plenty of runs in the Harris Park deck.

“The pitch played really well and it should just get better with all this heat,” Hanigan said.

“It is a smallish outfield too so it is not out of the question.

“We know we have our work cut out but we’re going to have a crack as see what happens.”

However Lake Albert can continue batting on day two of the clash if they choose.

Sean Gaynor is unbeaten on 25 with Tom Doig (three not out) the new man at the crease.

READ MORE