City Colts closing in on first-innings win over Centennials Bulls

However, there's still 50 runs for Colts to score, with seven wickets to spare, and skipper Matt Stephen said nothing is guaranteed when play gets resumes at the Bathurst Sportsground. 

"I would never say that [we're definitely going to chase it down]," he admitted. 

"There's still a bit of batting to do. Hopefully we can dig deep.

"Our season kind of depends on what happens by first drinks. Hopefully, whatever happens, it's good for us."

Colts are currently in third, enough to qualify for the three-team play-off series, but with Rugby Union, in second, and Bathurst City, in fourth, locking horns at George Park 1 on the same day, it could affect Colts finals aspirations. 

But Stephen isn't concerned about the other game happening.

"I won't even give [the other game] a thought, to be honest," he said. 

"We can't control what happens over there and it doesn't bother me what happens.

"We've just got to concentrate on playing the best we can do to class this total. We'll see what happens after that. But our game is the main priority."

Colts removed the 10-man Bulls for 146 the previous Saturday, before posting a score of 3-97 by the end of the first day.

Bulls captain and opener Andrew Brown (62 not out) carried his bat while Ryan Gurney (62) matched his efforts in the middle order.

Jacob Bognuda made a steady start with the ball before his double-wicket eighth over - the first dismissal being Gurney - sparked a middle order Centennials collapse of 4-11.

Bognuda finished as best bowler with 4-39 and Pat Hill had figures of 2-21.

Five Bulls players were dismissed for ducks.

Stephen admitted that his side should've taken care of Brown early, before he scored a team high total. 

"Browny was like a cat, having nine lives," he said. 

"That was our own fault. We dropped him a couple of times, but credit to him he went on and scored the runs.

"Gurney came out too and hit his shots pretty freely."

Henry Shoemark (4), Pat Hill (4) and first drop Jaden Ekert (43) were all dismissed before the end of play last Saturday. 

When play resumes this Saturday at 1.30pm, Dan Casey (27) and Dave Henderson (12) will continue their batting.

Wickets for Bulls were shared between Chris Redding (1-36), Kurt Toole (1-27) and Mick Hutchinson (1-16).