The Lake Albert premiership-winning captain made an unbeaten 57 on debut for South Wagga, but hasn't gone past 30 in his next six innings.

Resuming on 12 not out, the Englishman is hunting some quality time in the middle at Rawlings Park.

"I've been getting starts and have been hitting the ball well but have found ways of getting out I guess," Smeeth said. "I've done a job to get the team off to a reasonably good start but it would be nice to convert one of those, make it a big one to try and hold onto that spot at the top of the order."

Lake Albert rallied their way to 223 courtesy of a 80-run last-wicket partnership between.

Smeeth admitted the Bulls scored at least 50 runs more than they should have.

"It was a far few more than we were expecting considering the position we were in," he said.

"We dropped a couple of catches and they batted well at the end so sometimes that happens in cricket.

"It's 50 or 60 more than they should have probably but with the batting we've got we are pretty confident."

Lake Albert removed Brayden Ambler (5) late on the first day, with the Blues to resume a 1-17.

READ MORE