While numbers were slightly down on previous years, competition co-ordinator Trevor Thomas said there was still some top quality cricket played.

"It really is good," he said.

"Just about every under-14s cricketer who will trial for Western Zone is here this year so it's good to have a look at those kids under pressure."

Dubbo is represented by an under-13s side while a number of Dubbo players are also in the Macquarie Valley side which goes up against Lachlan Valley today.

Bathurst, Orange and Mudgee were the other three teams involved and Thomas said the lower numbers was down to the fact a lot of associations across NSW were struggling to find under-14s players, not just Dubbo and Western Zone.

"It's just of those age groups," he said.

"Dubbo has never particularly had big numbers in under-14s and Max Shepherd himself was going to bring a side from Albury but couldn't get the numbers in under-14s but he could have if it was under-13s or 15s."

A school side form the Penrith region also had to pull out after being unable to organise an under-14s side while Lachlan Valley only sent one side when they had sent two in the past.

"Unfortunately we've only got six teams this year but I'm sure it will grow again," Thomas said.

While the competition works in a round-robin format, Macquarie and Lachlan will play off for the Shield today after both sides won their opening two fixtures.

Macquarie (7-174) defeated Orange (3-82) in a rain-shortened match on Tuesday, thanks to Matt Burton's 38 not out and Henry Railz's 26 while Callan Braithwaite (1-4 off 4.3) and Will Graham (1-7 off 3) were the best with the ball.

They continued their good form yesterday as they defeated Bathurst by 54 runs with Marty Jeffrey leading the way with 44 of his side’s 9-140. Bathurst were never up to it in the run chase as Sam Fraser (2-11) and Braithwaite again (2-8) led the way with the ball.

Lachlan enter the final day after defeating Dubbo on the first day while they backed it up yesterday with a strong win over Orange.

Dubbo, containing players a year younger than everyone else, bounced back from their opening day defeat by beating Mudgee yesterday and Thomas said it was a great effort.

“The wickets were a little bit wet overnight so it was difficult to bat,” he said. “Dubbo struggled to 94 but they bowled Mudgee out for 69 and it was really good, they did well and it shows there’s some good talent coming through.”

Daniel Duffy has been a standout for the Dubbo side scoring 22 on Tuesday and 20 yesterday while Thomas Atlee has been impressive with the ball.

“Macquarie and Lachlan play off for the Shield and they’re the strongest teams here,” Thomas said of today’s match. “It’s good to see we get a final, it’s worked out really well.”

In the other matches, Orange take on Mudgee while Dubbo’s talented youngsters meet Bathurst. All matches start at 9.30am at the Lady Cutler Ovals.