For a while it appeared as though Dubbo would be embarrassed by the Novocastrians as, unlike in their win against Weston Creek-Molonglo the day before, the top order failed.

They struggled to 6-56 at drinks in reply to Merewether's total of 9-219, but despite the best efforts of Tim Berry (71), Ben Patterson (45) and Ben Taylor (22no) they ultimately fell 11 runs short when Ben Strachan holed out to long-on in the second last over.

Dubbo District Cricket Association president Mick Davis has been at Wollongong with the side during the past two days and he said despite losing, he and his board were proud of the performance.

"It would have been easy for the boys to just fold up when they were six down for not many runs but it shows the fighting spirit in this side and the real attitude they have developed," Davis said.

"Merewether are one of the best, if not the best, teams in the country NSW and our boys really had them under the pump today. They were feeling it there towards the end."

Merewether openers Simon Moore and Josh Geary got their side off to a flying start, putting on 71 for the first wicket and at one stage the favourites were 3-173 and travelling well.

But fine spells of bowling from Taylor (2-40) and Skinner (3-20) helped Dubbo reel them in and restrict them to just 9-219.

While Merewether started well and faded in their knock, the opposite could be said for Dubbo.

Opener Jason Ryan departed without scoring and was soon followed by Paul Hulthen (4), Mitch Bower (16), Jordan Moran (5), Greg Buckley (1) and Chris Morton (0) as Dubbo stumbled to be 6-33.

Berry and Skinner jammed the tide of momentum heading in Merewether's favour by putting on a 40-run stand before Skinner fell to the bowling of Tim O'Neill (4-32) with the score on 73.

That brought Patterson to the wicket, and together with Berry the pair staged a mission to frustrate the Novocastrians and put themselves in with a shot at victory.

Patterson showed maturity beyond his years as he and Berry put on 82 to leave the score 8-155 when he fell to quick Mark Cameron.

It was then Taylor's turn to bat with Berry, and it was only an unfortunate run-out that ended their stand at 45 and saw Berry head back to the sheds for a well-made 75 before Strachan fell trying to get the runs in the final few deliveries of the match.

"The boys went through a lot of what-ifs in the sheds and I think they know how close they came to winning and getting a chance to play on the SCG," Davis said.

"Our bowlers did a great job to reel them back in after they started so well and then the way Tim Berry and Ben Patterson batted was amazing to watch.

"Merewether threw everything they had at 'Bez' in particular and the only way they could get him out was to run him out.

"The boys will learn from the past couple of days, and hopefully if we get back to this stage next year we will be seeded a bit higher and come back even better again."