North West Wizards and Northern Falcons have seen first hand the strength of the Northern Rivers side, which last week shunted both out of the Victorian Bushrangers under-18 championships.
The Wizards finished second in their group but went out in the qualifying finals at the Albert Ground.
The Falcons were knocked out in the semi- finals at Melbourne University.
For the Wizards the performance was a huge improvement on the previous two years, when they finished last and second-last.
“It was a bit disappointing to go out, but we did well to get to that stage,” coach Dale McDonald said.
“Against the Northern Rivers we batted first and were about 40 short and we didn’t make the most of the opportunities.
“We then dropped a guy on 35 and he went on to make 100 and he was the difference. If we’d held that catch it would have been the difference.”
McDonald said some players didn’t play as well as they’d have liked, while others had taken the next step.
“Aaron Evans made 50-odd in the last game coming in at number five when he had been batting lower. He consolidated our innings,” McDonald said.
“Liam Molloy, our captain, batted well and Clayton Campbell made a couple of 70s.”
He said six of the players could be selected in the side again next year.
“There weren’t many expectations on the squad and it was a good effort to get where we did,” McDonald said.
The Falcons lost only one game for the championship, the semi-final against the Rivers when they really let their chances slip. “Key opportunities went begging with dropped catches that would have restricted the total,” Falcons coach Kevin Lowe said.
“They took the chances and fielded well”
It was deja vu for the Falcons, who also fell in the semis in the previous two years.
“This year we really gelled together as a side,” Lowe said.
“Previously we had individual standouts, but this time everyone was around the same level.
“I’m very proud of the attitude and most of them are bottom-age, so they’ll be back again next year.”
Lowe said Luke Joyce had been the standout for the side with both bat and ball.
