It was Bright's resistant 79 that led the Warrior fightback against Sydney University in their first-grade cricket clash at University Oval.

Bright mastered the students' attack in company with captain Paul Maraziotis, 61.

Their 125-partnership rescued Blacktown from a perilous 4-96 after the Warriors had won the toss.

When Kerrod Gordon, 36 and Josh Bridges, 34 not out, capitalised on the middle-order resistance, Blacktown went to stumps with a competitive 7-288 for University to chase.

This is not the first time the Blacktown bats have done their job in this young season, only for the bowlers to yield the points through lack of penetration. It happened last time, last match.

Blacktown are already giving the leaders a fair start and the bowlers hold the season in their hands.

The bowlers were on the receiving end in second grade, where University thrashed 8-384 and Blacktown were 1-25 in reply.

Leg-spinner Nathan Sowter destroyed his opponents in thirds.

The 16-year-old took 6-36 as University reached 216.

Unfortunately, the Students destroyed the Blacktown top-order in response as the Warriors staggered to 3-33. Blacktown fourths also have a daunting task, chasing 8-262. The story was the same but worse in fifths, where the Warriors will resume at 2-22 chasing 5-309.