AS far as selection trials are concerned, Saturday's clash between Combined Valleys and Mitchell at Dubbo did little more than rule players out of the squad, rather than allow them to force their way in.
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Valleys dominated the contest from start to end to finish eight-wicket victors, leaving selectors to mainly rely on pre-conceived ideas when it came to picking a Western Zone squad to face Riverina, Southern and Illawarra at the Country Championships in Griffith in a fortnight's time.
Valleys wicketkeeper-batsman Jordan Moran, one of 10 players from his side to make the 13-man Western squad, said the match was disappointing but believed the concept of combining Lachlan and Macquarie still has merit.
"To be honest it was quite disappointing how things panned out but I think what the result did was show the class of those that were able to handle the conditions," he said.
"Unfortunately not many of the Mitchell guys were willing to dig in, and our quicks took advantage of that.
"The ball was seaming around all day but the guys with a good technique showed runs could be scored. Anthony Heraghty made 50 for us and looked good doing it.
"Geographically, Mitchell has more people in their area than us and Lachlan combined, so I think the Valleys idea is good it's just that at the moment Dubbo and Parkes are quite strong. That's the way it goes."
Batting first after winning the toss, Mitchell was skittled for just 92 in 27.4 overs as young Dubbo quick Ben Patterson overcame a shaky start to star for the hosts.
Patterson's first three deliveries were called wide but he showed maturity beyond his years to rally and finish with 5-19, including the key wicket of Bathurst's Josh Toole (9), one of just three Mitchell players to gain Western Zone selection.
Valleys used only four bowlers but each of the quartet - Patterson, Tim Cox, Tim Berry and Jacob McNaught - took wickets.
With a small total to chase Valleys needed just 25.2 overs, with Heraghty (50no) and Mitch Bower (20) the top scorers, while Moran finished unbeaten on 16.
The Western squad got together yesterday for a training run in Dubbo, and with just one weekend of club and rep matches left prior to the team taking off for Griffith, Moran believes they are well-prepared.
"We had the camp in Blacktown earlier in the season and a trial against Hawkesbury, the training run today and we'll have another run once we get to Griffith," he said.
"Combined with all the club cricket and rep cricket everyone has played we've got a solid base behind us.
"The squad we've got has a good blend of youth and experience, and personally I'm really happy to see a guy like Chris Morton get a spot in the squad.
"He's been training well from the start, played well in the game against Hawkesbury and even though he didn't get a chance with bat or ball on Saturday he did enough early in the year to get himself a spot."
WESTERN ZONE: Pat Rosser (Parkes, captain), Jordan Moran (Dubbo), Anthony Heraghty (Parkes), Mitch Bower (Dubbo), Michael Curtale (Cowra), Josh Toole (Bathurst), Chris Morton (Dubbo), Tim Berry (Dubbo), Tim Cox (Dubbo), Curtis Free (Orange), Will Lindsay (Mudgee), Ben Patterson (Dubbo), Ryan Medley (Dubbo).
