Desperate to snap a three-match losing streak and cement their spot in the finals, the Panthers launched themselves at Wodonga.

“I know we had 13 overs to go at the very end, so we were pretty cranky with how we finished our batting innings,” all-rounder Brett Davies said.

“So, look, we came out pretty aggressive mate, that’s just how we roll, we want to get in their face, play real hard cricket until the end.

“Nothing crossed the line, everything was good, hard honest cricket.”

Wodonga will resume on 2-23 as it looks to seal the minor premiership.

Davies top-scored with 51, while regular opener Matt Sharp was run out for 21 after batting at number eight.

“He had a previous commitment that morning, so we know ‘Sharpy’ would come a little bit late, but all the boys knew that and were happy with that,” Davies said.

The pair combined for the biggest stand of 29 runs.

Davies praised fellow paceman Byron Hales, who took 4-47 from 21 overs.

But Lavington’s weakness is becoming more obvious as the season wears on.

“As a club we know our batting performances this year haven’t been where we’d like them to be,” Davies said.

“We’ve only scored over 200 a few times, but we rely on ‘Sharpy’ a fair bit in our top order.

“We all know if we hit our straps we’ll be pretty hard to beat.”

Meanwhile, a rejuvenated New City is targeting its second upset result.

The Phoenix will start day two as the underdog though, as finals contender East Albury looks to defend 190.

The home team is 2-21, with Cameron White snaring both scalps.

He’s shaping as the difference, having taken 21 wickets at 7.19 apiece in the last four games.

“We probably talked up East Albury as a game we could possibly take to the wire, it was good to get a good start and bowl first and make up for the disappointment of last week,” New City coach Nick McDonald said.

The Phoenix was coming off an outright loss to St Patrick’s but, in its defence, the club was missing a host of players, including exciting teenagers Liam Fitzsimmons and Angus Kilby with representative commitments.

And the league’s other battling outfit has also produced a strong effort.

After being bundled out for only 81, Wodonga Raiders dismissed premiership fancy Tallangatta for 147 as the visitors chased quick runs.

“They took some amazing catches,” Tallangatta co-coach Matt Armstrong said.

“I was very surprised at the standard of their fielding, it was unbelievable, they caught every catch that came their way and there were a couple of real screamers.”