Seventeen batsmen were removed as both Wagga RSL and Lake Albert struggled leaving the Bulldogs chasing three more wickets to ensure they head into finals off the back of a victory.

After being bowled out for 124, Wagga RSL have Lake Albert under pressure at 7-90 at stumps.

Captain Sam Perry was pleased with the fightback after a disappointing display with the bat.

"It was a bit disappointing as everyone got themselves in and we knew what we had to do, but a couple of poor chances and few chances that they took meant overall it wasn't outstanding," Perry said. "We fought back a little bit with the ball at the back end of innings but the fightback with the ball was good to see."

Matt O'Neill (29) and Tim Cameron (26) got Wagga RSL to what now shapes as a competitive total.

Perry was particular impressed with O'Neill after coming back into the side.

"Matty O'Neill was sensational batting at five," he said.

"We gave him the opportunity now that Will (Morley) is away and told him it is his spot to lose so it was good to see him go out there, score 29 and he didn't look fazed until he got out really.

"I thought he batted really well and Timmy Cameron at the end played a similar role to what he did against South Wagga.

"He knew what he had to do and was nudging the ball around."

Ethan Perry (2-17) and John Hoey (2-16) then turned the tide late in the clash.

Cameron (2-14) picked up the first two wickets before the pair really hurt the Bulls late in the clash.

Hoey had a bit of luck to pick up the big wicket of Sam Smith (30) but Perry was thrilled with how the halted the Bulls, who lost 5-31 to limp to stumps.

"Everyone bowled well apart from me if I'm honest," he said.

"I went for 20 off two overs and it quickly goes from 7-90 to 7-70 if you take my overs away.

"Ethan (Perry) and John Hoey bowled pretty much the last session and they only scored something like 25 runs in 13 overs.

"It was sensational."

Jacson Sommerville will be the key wicket when play resumes on Saturday.

After coming in at seven, he remains unbeaten on 15 with Rhauri Macleod yet to get off the mark.

Perry is hoping to strike early.

"A lot weighs on his (Sommerville) shoulders," he said.

"He's in the lower order but has obviously batted in the top four in the last couple of seasons so there is lots of pressure on him.

"He's a good enough player to win them the game so he's a massive wicket for us early next week."

With St Michaels set to be penalised for not covering the Geoff Lawson Oval wicket, picking up the victory has even more implications for Wagga RSL.

The six points would see them leap the Saints and finish in third place, giving them an advantage if bad weather threatened in the first week of finals.

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