Searching for their fourth premiership in seven years, the Cats struggled to build their innings after being sent in by South Wagga at Robertson Oval on Saturday.

Blake Harper struck early to remove Harry Rosengren (3) before two quick wickets had the Cats on the back foot.

Thompson top scored with 33 but losing wickets in clumps was one thing the Cats skipper rued.

"We tried hard but we lost wickets in clumps which is disappointing," Thompson said.

"It is something you have to learn from and moving on that will be things we work on - to knuckle down after wickets.

"That is what really hurt us.

"You shouldn't speak about what ifs but we really needed a lot more runs that than.

"It wasn't enough, we thought 180 was going to be enough, but we didn't quite get there. Credit to South Wagga, they outplayed us all weekend."

Things only got worse when a sharp catch from Terry Willis off Mitch Sykes' bowling removed dangerman Jon Nicoll (8) for his second lowest score of the season.

It was just the second time the now five-time Brian Lawrence Medal winner failed to reach double figures in another outstanding season.

Aaron Maxwell (24) and Ben Turner (20) tried to steady things only for Sykes to take three wickets in four balls and have Wagga City in all sorts of trouble at 8-124.

Mitch Cawley (21) and Craig Acton (18) saw the Cats to stumps before Blake Harper broke their 31-run ninth-wicket stand early on Sunday before the minor premiers were bowled out for 158.

A quickfire 62 from Blues opener Jeremy Rowe put the Cats further off the pace.

Late wickets from Thompson (4-53) made for a nervy finish but with the last three dismissals secured when they required 10 runs or less the three-wicket margin deflected some of South Wagga's dominance.

A draw would have been enough for the Cats to take the title.

They set off at a slow pace and never really accelerated throughout their innings, but Thompson insists it was the Blues bowling attack rather than a conservative approach that dictated the tempo.

"They bowled fantastic," he said.

"It was pretty hard to get out of the slump as they set a good field and bowled to a very good plan.

"It was hard to score runs and it's a credit to Rowey and the boys for that kind of game plan as it has worked for them."

Still the club came went from wooden spooners to making it through to the grand final.

Thompson believes the loss will only make them hungrier and is confident there is plenty of young talent coming through the ranks.

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