THEY weren't made to pay for ill discipline in a first-up win over Wagga RSL, but Wagga City skipper Josh Thompson knows South Wagga won't be as generous if they repeat the dose at Robertson Oval on Saturday.
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Led by Thompson's 52, the Cats were 2-106 at one stage before they were dismissed for 144.
Early wickets from their bowlers and the Bulldog's innings being reduced due to rain combined to ensure a win, but the Blues pose a far stiffer test.
"Against South Wagga you have to bat well, you can't give them a sniff early," Thompson said.
"The blokes they've got up front like Alex Smeeth and Blake Harper, if you lose a few wickets early it's very hard to pull them back when they're confidence is up.
"It's up to the batsmen to get on top of them before they get too confident."
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The Cats are rated by most as one of the biggest threats to the Blues' quest to secure a third title in four years, and Thompson said they need to have belief.
"We do have a lot of talent in our team, it's about opening that can and getting them to realise what they're capable of," Thompson said.
"If we get it right, we can be a force to be reckoned with."
Thompson said he was looking for his top six to dig in and occupy the crease, and learn the lessons from last week.
"It was one of those bowling periods where they (Wagga RSL) flirted with some danger leaving holes in the outfield," he said.
"We just wanted to hit there and lost some wickets. It was mind games on their behalf and we lost.
"It will be a more deliberate process this week, we can't afford to do that this week against South Wagga."
Blues skipper Luke Gerhard was pleased with his side's all-round performance in a seven-wicket win over Kooringal, where they dismissed the Colts for just 127.
"In the field our young guys really stood up. We've worked pretty hard and for round one the standard was pretty good," Gerhard said.
"I was happy all round, so hopefully we can continue that against a pretty handy team."
The Blues expected to make one change to the team that was victorious in round one, and were set to assess their options at training.
Blues skipper Luke Gerhard was pleased with his side's all-round performance in a seven-wicket win over Kooringal, where they dismissed the Colts for just 127.
"In the field our young guys really stood up. We've worked pretty hard and for round one the standard was pretty good," Gerhard said.
"I was happy all round, so hopefully we can continue that against a pretty handy team."
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