South Wagga extended their unbeaten start to their premiership defence with a nine-wicket win over Lake Albert under lights at Robertson Oval on Saturday.
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The Blues cruised to victory in the Larkins, Mumford and Rogers Memorial Cup clash with Brayden Ambler (76) and Joel Robinson (58) combined for an unbeaten 118-run partnership for the second wicket.
South Wagga have won four from four to start the season.
Stand-in captain Robinson believes there is still plenty of improvement, but has been pleased with how they have started the season.
"There are still plenty of areas to improve on but I'm pretty happy with how we went," Robinson said.
Alex Smeeth provided his former club with plenty of headaches.
The Englishman claimed 5-19 off eight overs as Lake Albert were bowled out for 156.
Smeeth struck early to remove Jacson Sommerville (0) before firing late to move to the top of the competition's wicket takers.
Robinson was been impressed with his impact since making the switch this season.
"He bowled alright," he said.
"He got one early one and then came in at the end and cleaned up the tail.
"It is good as something we've lacked a bit over the last few years is being able to take the tail when we are in a good position.
"It's good for him as well."
Ryan Jamieson (27), Sam Smith (22), Danny Webber (21) and Isaac Cooper (20) all made starts but the Blues were able to pick up wickets in pairs to get well on top.
Robinson thought they side was always in control.
"We were pretty happy with how we contained them," he said.
"None of them really got away from us, a couple of them got starts, but we were still pretty happy with how things were tracking throughout the game."
Smeeth (16) was the only Blue to be dismissed.
Ambler set the tone early with his unbeaten 76 the highest score in the competition so far to help them home with more than nine overs to spare.
"Braydo and Smeethy started off well and got us off on the right foot and it was good to have some time in the middle with Braydo and it was a good little partnership," he said.
With all four grades contributing to the Larkins, Mumford and Rogers Memorial Cup equation, South Wagga had actually won back the prize shortly after the twilight pinnacle had started.
"There was a good couple of wins throughout the lower grades so early on in their game we had the cup sown up," Robinson said.
South Wagga remain on top of the ladder heading into next week's Twenty20 clash with Wagga RSL while Lake Albert have slipped behind the Bulldogs and into fourth with two wins and two losses so far.
