The top of the table clash was going to be an interesting one from the start, with a wet pitch posing a challenge for both sides.

But the ladder leaders overcame it to knock the Hornets over for 131, and then get to work with the bat.

They managed to notch 4/85 before the end of play.

“There was a bit of a mishap during the week so the pitch was a little bit wet so it was pretty important for our bowlers to stick to the plan and bowl straight,” Jason Ryan said.

“The boys bowled really well for us – [Souths] could have easily gone over 200 runs.”

Stick to the plan they did, with all-rounder Wes Giddings continuing his strong form with a four-wicket haul, while youngster Tom Atlee claimed 4/22.

“Young Tom Atlee was great for us,” Ryan said.

“He was in Sydney before Christmas and played a bit of Green Shield and it’s really starting to show, the experience he picked up.

“He’s come back with a really good mindset and he’s playing some really good cricket, which is really good for us.”

The third wicket partnership of Mitch Bower and Henry Railz put up the strongest fight for the Hornets, piling on 69 runs before Bower fell for 40.

Railz went on to make his half-century but the Hornets’ batting order collapsed around him as he lost the partners of Bower, Matt Finlay (5), Greg Rummans (2) and Adam Wells (1).

It was then that Atlee truly stepped up, taking the wickets of John Colwell (7) and Jake Busch (0) in successive balls to claim a two wicket maiden in his final over.

RSL-Colts then began their chase, with Matt Kennan’s 34 of 40 balls “the best he’s batted in a while”.

Giddings (22) continued his work with the bat before Colwell (3/12) struck, in what turned out to be a standout performance for Souths.

Brad Cox and Aaron Morris will resume at 4/85 for RSL-Colts next week, and Ryan is confident his side has what it takes.

“We did lose … four wickets late but we’ve still got a few handy bats in,” he said.

“It would have been better if we’d only lost one or two but I feel like we bat deep enough to get the job done.”