On a good wicket at Lavington Sportsground, the Panthers made just 144 from 48.3 overs.

The Bushies were 9-133 when coach Matt Armstrong cracked the first ball for six off Will Heriot.

Another would give the visitors a stunning victory as Armstrong took a single to mid-off.

Heriot claimed Jon Thomas leg before next ball.

Armstrong had carried his bat to finish on 68.

“Matt Armstrong played really well, but our bowling was outstanding,” Lavington coach Robbie Mackinlay said.

“Ryan Brown took 2-13 off nine overs while Nathan Brown (3-37 off 10), Daryl Tuffey (0-31 off 10) and Jaydon Wright (1-19 off 6) provided great support and Will Heriot finished with three wickets.”

Spinner Heriot and Nathan Brown are the association’s leading wicket-takers with 11 apiece.

Lavington opener Matt Tom (26) was the only Panther to pass 25, with extras the next highest on 23.

“Tallangatta bowled really well, their openers Sam Stephens and Lachie Paton were very accurate, then Dilhara (Lokuhettige) and Matt Armstrong bowled with great craft and skill,” Mackinlay said.

The home side was 1-64, but lost 7-48.

However, a 31-run stand between Heriot (14) and debutant Ben Talarico (12no) at least handed the Panthers a chance.

Armstrong claimed 3-22, while Lokuhettige and Jake Hill took 2-22 apiece.

The Bushies started slowly against a miserly attack, but when Curtis Stephens (15) was run out, it sparked a mini-collapse, losing 3-2.

Armstrong and Lokuhettige steadied the side with a 34-run stand stand, but once the former Sri Lankan international was out, it was always going to be tough.

“It’s the first time we’ve beaten Tallangatta since round 13 in 2013/14, they’ve won the past five games,” Mackinlay said.

For the second successive season, the Panthers are strangling teams with their bowling.

In the five rounds, East Albury tops the list with 152 after North Albury (9-91) and Belvoir (9-76) struggled at T20 level.

The Crows, St Patrick’s (135) and Tallangatta (140) round out the 50-over matches.

Lavington is the only team which has yet to have a hiccup.

Wodonga sits just two points behind, but it had the thrilling tie against Tallangatta in round three.

New City is back in third after its first loss, with North Albury (3-2) rounding out the top four.

Lavington will have its third straight home game against North in round six and then faces a crackerjack clash against Wodonga.

That’s the early favourite for the grand final with a host of top-quality players.