If premiers City United were looking to make a statement, they did it in style taking a stranglehold on their match with top four hopefuls Western Suburbs on Saturday.
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Despite losing the toss, City finished the day with first innings points safely wrapped up and eyeing an outright win next week.
At stumps on day one Wests, who batted first on a lightning fast outfield, were all out for a disappointing 173 and in reply City were sitting ominously at 7-205 with skipper Matt Trappel returning to his best form, unbeaten on 76.
With Josh Trappel returning from representative duty next week, City are well placed to look for quick runs and leave Wests facing a backs-to-the-wall second innings to save the match.
"It was a really pleasing effort all round," Matt Trappel said.
"Both teams had players away, but we showed our depth and I couldn't have asked for more.
"With Tim Baker away with Central North, I thought Tim Burton (4-60) really stepped up, well supported by our younger quicks.
"And then left arm spinner Nick Bower (3-11) mopped up the tail.
"It was a top effort, very pleasing.
"When you consider there were 380 runs scored on the day, you get an idea of how good the wicket was and how fast the outfield was - so to keep them to 173 was a huge effort."
City were equally impressive with the bat. An opening stand of 58 set the run chase up nicely, with Andrew Vickery again looking good with 43 which included eight fours and a six to follow on from his unbeaten century last round.
Fellow opener Wayne Dunlop chipped in with 28 and experienced Ricky Dent a patient 26 to support his captain who dominated.
"If we can build a lead next week and then give ourselves say 60 overs or so, who knows," Trappel said.
Wests will be bolstered by the return of their top batsman Tom Irwin next.
In other matches Raymond Terrace's new ball bowlers ripped through Tenambit's top order late in the day to have them reeling at 4-2 in reply to Terrace's 9-196. Cameron Bates and Daniel Flynn grabbed two wickets apiece.
At Thornton, Norths were 2-78 in reply to Thornton's 200 in what could be a tight match, and Easts are well poised at 2-109 in reply to Kurri Weston's 174, with Joshua Hicks picking up six wickets.
