St Michaels showed they can more than match it with the top teams in the competition after downing Wagga City on Saturday.
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The Saints made it four straight wins after a tense clash at Robertson Oval.
After getting the better of the bottom three sides, including an outright result over Wagga RSL to jump into second place, St Michaels faced their biggest test to date.
It didn't look too positive after being bowled out for 195 on the first day of the clash, but it proved to be enough.
Captain Beck Frostick was pleased to take the eight-run win.
"It was very pleasing," Frostick said.
"I thought the boys put on a very professional performance and it puts a statement out to the rest of the league that we mean business this year."
He believes the side continues to build in confidence.
Tom Williams struck early to remove Tom Burge (0) but Wagga City looked to be well placed at 3-111 before Nathan Corby removed Blake Walker (29) and Jon Nicoll (26) in quick succession.
Aaron Maxwell (9) and Max Harper (0) soon followed before Mitch Cawley (23) and Rob Nicoll (31not out) got City back on track.
They put on 49 runs to get their side within 18 runs of victory before Dave Garness provided a big moment for his side.
Garness has done the bulk of damage for the Saints attack so far this season, and while it was Frostick and Corby who both claimed three wickets in the narrow victory, he broke the partnership.
He couldn't finish his 18th over due to cramp with Frostick coming in and securing another wicket for the over before getting the final wicket in the memorable victory.
The Englishman said it was a big moment in the match.
"They put a good partnership on and I thought it wasn't to be our day but when Dave come on, bowled three balls and got us a wicket it changed it for us," Frostick said.
With South Wagga suffering their first loss of the season, only a superior percentage has the Blues on top of the ladder.
St Michaels are now eight points clear of Wagga City and Frostick is looking to extend their purple patch in their one-day game with Lake Albert.
However still isn't getting too far ahead of himself.
"I think they (City) threw the game away," Frostick said.
"Even though we bowled well if you can't chase 190 in 81 overs then that is there in the loss."
Meanwhile Wagga City will be looking to return to winning ways against last placed Kooringal Colts.
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