AN 80-run last wicket partnership helped Lake Albert past 200 in their clash with undefeated South Wagga on Saturday.
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Tom Doig (46 not out) and Scott Billington (31) defied the Blues bowling attack to add on valuable runs as the Bulls look to turn around some disappointing recent results.
After letting a good opportunity slip against formerly winless Kooringal Colts last week, Lake Albert have lost five of their last six matches.
They have only won twice this season, but the late order heroics got them to a competitive score of 223 at Rawlings Park.
After rocky start, Lake Albert captain Isaac Cooper was thrilled with their recovery.
"It was 6-140 so to get to 220 was definitely good," Cooper said.
Josh Coyte (71) led the way early for the Bulls but struggled for a partnership as teammates continued to fall around him.
When he was dismissed by former teammate Lachie Skelly, Lake Albert looked to big trouble before the unlikely rally against the form team of the competition.
Trent Charlton (29) helped the resistance before the unlikely late stand.
After dismissing Wagga City for 106 in the op-of-the-table clash last week, the Blues struggled to make the most of another good start.
Stand-in South Wagga captain Joel Robinson finished with the best figures for the Blues with 3-22 off 10 overs.
Former Lake Albert captain Alex Smeeth (2-37) and Blake Harper (2-19) were the only other multiple wicket takers.
Billington then extended his impressive form to claim Brayden Ambler (5) late on the day.
It was the start the Bulls needed against an in-form Blues batting line up.
However Cooper admitted there was some luck involved in the dismissal.
"We set ourselves a goal of one wicket in the seven overs and is was good to get one," he said.
"To be honest it was a leg stump half volley, but we just had the fielder in the right spot and it went straight to him."
Sam Quinton made no mistake at mid wicket to see the Bulls end on a high.
The Blues will resume at 1-17 with Smeeth unbeaten on 12 and Harper (0) new to the crease.
Cooper believes the match is in the balance.
"It is fairly evenly poised," he said.
"We're pretty happy with the position we are at at the moment but going on previous weeks South Wagga are obviously never consistent with the bat and bat very deep.
"We will have to bowl well next week."
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