After cruising to 1-85, the Panthers collapsed to 5-90 just before tea in the crunch clash between sixth and seventh on the table.

Wodonga recruit Brad Dalbosco was the mainstay of the Panthers’ innings of 212 at Lavington Oval.

Batting at No.4, the 18-year-old played with maturity beyond his years to be the last man out for 65 in the 77^th over.

“We needed someone to stand up and he stood up for us and batted beautifully,” Panthers coach Robbie Mackinlay said.

Opener Sam O’Connor batted well for 36 at the top of the order against some tight bowling from Albury pair Liam Hocking (4-44) and Aaron Hoskin (3-44).

Mackinlay was confident the Panthers could defend their total but said they would need to bowl well with their finals hopes on the line.

“It’s not a bad score – we were lucky to have a few handy partnerships late in our innings,” he said.

“We will have to bowl well because blokes like Alex Popko and Kade Brown can get away from you.

“If we win this game we will be safe and we can really look at finishing second or third on the ladder but if we lose we have to beat Patties next week and hope Wodonga beat Albury.

“By winning the game, we lock in a finals spot with the incentive to finish as high as we can but if we lose we’re in the lap of the gods.”

Albury’s chances will depend on the fitness of Popko, who left the field late in the day with a finger injury after spilling a chance from Panther Ryan Brown.

Belvoir recovered from a perilous position against North Albury to post 265.

The Eagles were 8-170 before late inclusion Dylan Wright (63) and bowler Brad Freake (41) rallied late in the innings after Glen Vassallo made 50 at the top of the order at Bunton Park.

“It was a great rearguard action from Dylan and Brad,” Belvoir captain Mick Russell said.

“I’d say 265 is only just par at North Albury but the outfield was a bit lusher than previous years so if we bowl well next week hopefully it will be enough.”

Belvoir will miss the suspended Matt Jaensch from its bowling attack but the Hoppers will start their chase without star batsman David Farrell.

An Alex Kent century put East Albury in a strong position against New City.

Kent made 105 as the Crows made 9-193(dec) after being in early trouble at 4-26.

The Phoenix made a disastrous start to the run chase, finishing at 2-0 off two overs.

St Patrick’s in on track for victory against Wodonga Raiders at Xavier Oval.

The Raiders showed improvement with the bat for the second week in a row to make 150 off 56 overs but Patties finished the day at 1-122 with Neil Smith to resume on 68 not out.