After comfortably accounting for North Coast on day one of the under 16 competition, Western looked set for a big carnival.

It was not to be though as the Bluebags lost out to Central Northern and Central Coast on days two and three respectively.

After winning the toss against North Coast  Bathurst pair Tom Galvin (45) and Mark Day (38) combined to lead Western to 9/180 from its 50 overs.

In reply Lachlan’s Rhys Lloyd tore through the North Coast top order, taking 4-27 to help bowl North Coast out for 164, 16 short of victory, despite a fighting half-ton from batsman Lewin Maladay (56).

Having put themselves in a position to win pool A, Western capitulated on day two against Central Northern.

Western skipper Galvin was left to rue his decision to bat first, as his team lost 5-0 in the early stages of the innings, languishing at 6-20.

Galvin, Burrows, the Blue Mountains’ Conor Farnell, James Donato and Dubbo’s James Duffy were all victims of the collapse, before Daniel Donato (35) and Ryan Peacock (22) came together.

The Mitchell pairing added 55 for the seventh wicket, in the hope of setting up a defendable total.

They were on a hiding to nothing though as Western was eventually bowled out for 105. Central Northern passed the target five wickets down, with 19 overs to spare.

Despite the loss Western went into day three needing a win over Central Coast to have any hope of claiming top spot.

After winning the toss and batting first, Central Coast piled on 7-205, led by Ben Eldridge (85).

In reply, Western was sitting precariously at 2-26 before James Donato (42) and Wade Burrows (50) added 84 for the third wicket.

Western squandered the winning position though, losing 3-8 to slump to 5-118.

Ryan Peacock (19) and Dan Donato (16) restored some hope, adding 24 for the sixth wicket.

Wickets continued to fall  and despite a quick-fire 21 from Dubbo’s Tyler Woodrow, from number 10, Western fell eight runs short of its target.