The Central North under-18s girls showed glimpses of their potential but didn't quite live up to what were deservedly high expectations at last week's country championships at Raymond Terrace.
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Boasting what assistant coach Peter Graham thought was "probably one of the best sides we've ever had" - five of the side had played at a national level last year either with the under-18s or under-15s, they won just two of their four games to finish fifth.
"It was very disappointing," Graham said.
"On paper we had a side we thought we could make the final with."
They couldn't have got off to a worse start, a top order collapse in their opening game against Riverina leaving them 5-19. Thanks to a 57 run stand between Lara Graham (35) and Josephine Pearce (19) they managed to scramble their way to 7-86 from their 20 overs.
Jess Davidson (2-20) and Deni Baker (2-15) gave them a sniff with early wickets but Riverina were able to chase the runs with an over to spare.
That was effectively their finals hopes hit for six.
"It was a massive set-back," Graham said.
"You've got to win all your lead-up games to make the final."
They then faced Western.
Able to find some of the batting form that deserted them in the opening game they posted 6-107, Tara Craig top-scoring with 23.
Pearce and Claire McGuirk then led the way as they restricted Western to 8-75.
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Facing eventual champions North Coastal first-up on the second day they struggled against a "pretty good" bowling attack and could only muster 7-64. In reply, North Coastal needed just 13 overs to pass Central North's total.
That put them into a play-off for fifth and sixth against ACT.
Some tight bowling saw them restrict ACT to 7-82.
In her last game for Central North Dahlia Glennie carried her bat for 45 as they got the runs in 17.3 overs, Glennie combined with McGuirk (13no) for a 50 run partnership to see them over the line.
Graham said it was a good way for Glennie to finish. It was also the final championships for his daughter Lara.
He said shot selection and inconsistency with their line and length really hurt them.
The championships doubled as a selection trial for the ACT/NSW Country side to play at the nationals. That will be named on October 21.
