The Tamworth under-13s showcased their allround ability at Ballina this week.
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Playing in the association's annual carnival, the Chris Paterson and Adam Jones-coached side acquitted themselves well, finishing sixth (of 16) after going down to the Metropolitan South West Junior Rep side in their final game.
Chasing 6-198, Tamworth were bowled out for 98, Blake Scicluna top-scoring with 17.
He had earlier lead the charge with the ball claiming 3-30 to cap off a good week.
He was their second-highest runscorer overall with 95 and a highest score of 33.
Opener-keeper Riley Gentle was Tamworth's best performer with the bat and provided one of the highlights of the carnival with a brilliant 73 in their penultimate game against Hunter Valley.
They finished the week with three wins and two losses and narrowly missed the semi-finals, with Lake Macquarie, who were their other loss, pipping them on percentages to top their pool.
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"They only scored the runs in the 47th over," Paterson said.
"We didn't bat our overs out that day. That's what hurt us."
He said overall it was a really good week.
"We had a couple of really good wins early in the week," he said.
He was really proud of the effort they put it. For him that was the most pleasing part.
They had two players pick up player of the match awards, Jordy Lewington and Ben Sleeman.
Sleeman was their leading wicket-taker with seven and was also prominent with the bat. Paterson noted that he got them home on the first day with an unbeaten 26 off 11, he and Mathew Beattie (11no) sharing an unbroken 37 run stand.
Lewington's man of the match award came in that game after he hit 29, he followed up with an unbeaten 29 the following game, and took 2-25.
Wrapping up what was a good season, just missing out on the Northern Inland under-14s final, Paterson said they had taken a lot of learnings away from the week.
"Most of the boys are starting grade now," he said.
"It's good for their cricket, good for their development."
