Left with the bye in the final round of the season, Panmure can't register any further points and has both Yambuk (fourth) and Hawkesdale (fifth) snapping at its heels.

Yambuk made a promising start against Wangoom, batting out its 70 overs for a total of 307 runs, while Hawkesdale is in the box seat against Mailors Flat, needing 55 runs with seven wickets in hand. 

But with the temperature set to rise above 35 degrees again on Saturday, Bulldogs skipper Paddy Mahony, 26, doesn't plan on watching how things things pan out live. 

"Looking back before Christmas you can't help but think about other things we could have done to get more points," he said.

"But there isn't much we can do now.

"I'll keep an eye on the MyCricket scores and otherwise we'll just try to stay cool."

Yambuk captain Tyson Umbers, 23, said team morale is high after a strong first innings with the bat. 

Christo Rook and Xavier McCartney made an opening partnership of 111 runs before McCartney went on to fall just three runs short of what would have been his first century this season. 

"He's very team-oriented, so things like that don't worry him too much," Umbers said of McCartney. 

"And 'Rooky' has had a really good year, so hopefully he can continue with the ball."

Jethro Serle also made 51 runs for Yambuk, while Wangoom's Nick Kermond enjoyed his best figures for the season, taking 6-70 off 20 overs.

"Nick puts it on the spot all day without giving any width," Umbers said.

"He's always hassling your wicket and it led to our blokes making some silly mistakes, so full credit to him."

Turning his attention to the game's second innings on Saturday, Umbers said dismissing Roosters opener Chris Arthur and skipper Lachlan Morrison early was the key to victory.

"Getting through their top order within the first hour would put them on the back foot," he said.

"Wangoom is a small ground, so we needed something around 300 to be competitive."

And even though the Buks need to win to lock in a finals berth, Umbers said his side could handle the pressure.

"Realistically we've been playing must-win games since November, so it's just more of the same for us," he said.