![Jonathon Carson picked up a wicket for North Albury in the Hoppers' big win over Lavington at Lavington Oval on Saturday. Jonathon Carson picked up a wicket for North Albury in the Hoppers' big win over Lavington at Lavington Oval on Saturday.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/PhHnA5GT9TJUUFksUAkH55/fc43520c-83c2-4890-bd58-30edb7620c17.jpg/r150_311_4758_3099_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
NORTH Albury stamped itself as a genuine finals contender by steamrolling Lavington at Lavington Oval on Saturday.
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After making a mammoth 9-306 last weekend, the Hoppers defended the total with ease thanks to fine bowling performances from Robbie Hartnett and Daniel Athanitis.
Lavington slumped to 4-80 at tea and could only manage 199 in reply.
Athanitis said David Farrell’s century was the difference.
“I think it was set up last week,” Athanitis said.
“It was a massive score.
"We thought 240 would have been competitive so to make another 60 was really good for us.
“David got off the leash and it set the game up.
“We just bowled a tight line and length.
“There isn’t much beaten the teams, but things went out way this time.
“It was a good win.”
SEARING HEAT
Hartnett (4-49) and Athanitis (4-53) bowled 16 and 23 overs respectively in the searing heat.
North Albury is sitting in third position on the ladder heading into the Christmas break after defeating Lavington, Albury, New City and Wodonga Raiders.
The Hoppers have a reasonable run home against Wodonga, East Albury, Belvoir and Wodonga Raiders.
“The competition is really tight,” Athanitis said.
“We are reasonably well placed in third spot, but the top six looks like going down to the wire.”
Wodonga picked up outright points against Wodonga Raiders at Les Cheesley Oval.
After declaring with a 221-run first innings lead, the Bulldogs dismissed their opponents for 139 in the second dig.
James Sammon (33), Jesse Griffiths (32) and Steve Coonan (27) provided some resistance.
But Wodonga were eager for outright points and Phil Stahl (3-30), Leo McGhee (3-32) got the job done.
Albury thumped New City by 206 runs at Billson Park.
While the result wasn’t a surprise, the ease of the victory was as skipper Kade Brown (4-11) tore through the Phoenix line-up.
The visitors could only make 99, with Ben Hawken (25) topscoring with 25.
New City were sent back in and finished at 6-84 at stumps.
“It was a good way to go into the break,” Brown said.
“Even though it was probably wishful thinking, we picked up six second innings wickets and got reasonably close.
“The boys played well.”
Belvoir comfortably accounted for East Albury at Alexandra Park.
Despite being without No.1 bowler Matt Jaensch, the Eagles picked up early wickets and cruised home.
Tempers became frayed late in the day when Belvoir wasn’t allowed to start its second innings.