Lavington lower order batsmen Andrew Mackinlay and Will Heriot have guided the Panthers to a fifth successive win.
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The pair combined in a 43-run stand to edge out Belvoir in another thriller.
‘We’ve had two real close ones against Belvoir and two close games against Albury, and we’ve been able to win three of them,” Lavington coach Robbie Mackinlay said.
Chasing the Eagles’ 188, the duo came together at 8-146.
Mackinlay posted his highest score for the season with an unbeaten 28, while Heriot was 21 not out.
“We’ve got great depth in our batting, with more top order batsmen than middle order,” Mackinlay said.
“We’ve got a number of players who can move about the order like Andrew (Mackinlay), Chris Galvin, Sam O’Connor and Jarryd Weeding.”
Drew Cameron continued his outstanding season, racking up a fourth half-century.
His 61 included seven boundaries.
“He’s the best bat in the competition by a mile,” Belvoir coach Josh Warren said.
He’s the best bat in the competition by a mile ... you look at every time he plays representative cricket, he makes runs all the time.
- Josh Warren
“You look at every time he plays representative cricket, he makes runs all the time.
“Drew has taken a back seat with the captaincy, with Matt Jaensch our on-field leader.
“That’s allowed Drew to focus on his batting, and it’s the reason he’s in such good form.
“He’s hitting the ball as good as ever, but just needs to turn those half-centuries into tons.”
Nathan Brown dismissed the rampaging Cameron and Warren just after the drinks break.
“He turned the match,” Robbie Mackinlay said.
And Warren says the Panthers’ pace attack is crucial
“The Brown brothers (Nathan) and Ryan have been the difference in both games we’ve played against them,” he said.
“They rely a bit of them and Brett Davies.
“They bowl line and length, Nathan’s tall and gets good bounce, while Ryan is the ultimate team man, because if he’s not taking wickets, then the bloke at the other end is.”
The Eagles weren’t expected to field any of their premiership attack, but Jaensch did play, and took 2-33.
“Many thought we wouldn’t have a chance with so many players out,” Warren said.
“But even so, I reckon those two games against Lavington we should have won.
“The difference between this year and last is we would have taken those two wickets.
“We’ve lost the Belvoir cricket edge and it’s not good enough.”
Despite the loss, the Eagles maintain their spot in the six, while Lavington retains third place.
The Panthers also keep the Cameron Thompson Cup, after the former premiership player of both teams.
