After losing seven of last years side Olrich said they were just happy to make the regional final.

“We didn’t have any expectation beyond that,” he said.

They ended up matching last years effort and showing some promising signs for the future in the process.

“The next couple of seasons look really good. We’ve got a lot of young guys there,” Olrich said.

Kurt Barton and Joey Mead are two that spring to mind.

The Year 9 students were two of their best performers with the ball in Monday’s 18-run semi-final loss to Warners Bay High.

The draw had Merewether High listed and it was only when their opposition turned up that Farrer learnt it was actually Warners Bay they were playing.

Batting first, Warners Bay made 151, opener Mitchell Lole – son of Old Boys opener Adam - top-scoring with 96. 

Alex Roseby led the charge for Farrer with 5-22 from his eight overs, Barton and Mead also chipping in with two wickets.

“I thought we bowled well,” Olrich said.

“We lost our way for about four overs where we didn’t set smart fields.”

They at one stage had Warners Bay 8-103.

A few runs from the tail inflated the visitors score but Olrich still thought they could chase 150 down.

But a couple of quick wickets put them on the back foot, and they never recovered as Warners Bay restricted them to 8-133.

“We lost two quick wickets before the second drinks break, which took the wind out of our sails,” Olrich said.

Lachie Barton batted valiantly for the home side with 59, and while ever he was out there Olrich said they were confident they could still run the total down – even when they needed six an over for the last 10.

Eventually though the pressure forced his hand.

“We needed to force the scoring, and he was doing that, but with that comes risk,” he said.