Western Zone showed just why it’s become a powerhouse of bush cricket on Friday when rallying from an unenviable position to down North Coastal in a thrilling opening match of the 2018/19 Country Championships northern pool carnival.

It was some of the newcomers who stood up for Western, with Australian junior representative Brock Larance showing why he’s so highly touted, while Tom Atlee also did a fine job with bat and ball on his senior Zone debut.

Larance top-scored for Western with a quickfire 64 and while Ben Patterson chimed in with 47, no other player made a meaningful contribution in the slightly disappointing total of 215. 

Larance’s knock came from just 51 balls and included six boundaries and one six.

That final score could have been even lower had it not been for a vital 30-run final wicket stand between Dubbo teen Atlee (19) and experienced Bathurst campaigner Matt Stephen (7).

Both showed great patience and made sure Western got within three overs of batting out its 50.

Three different North Coastal bowlers claimed two wickets each.

North Coastal then made a flying start to the run chase, going at 10 over at one point early on against openers Stephen and Patterson.

Justin Moore was tearing the Western attack apart but Jackson Coote (1-13) came on and knocked him over for a rapid 41 off 22.

While the run-rate slowed the side from the state’s north kept things ticking over as Western struggled to take wickets consistently.

At 3-166 North Coast was in total control but slowly but surely the game began the turn.

Tearaway quick Atlee, entering the attack late on, made an immediate impact and claimed the vital wicket of Alec Baldwin (43).

Ben Patterson (2-37) returned to the attack and produced a much-improved spell, grabbing two wickets. While pace worked there captain Mitch Bower opted to go with the off-spin of Larance at the other end.

It was a bold move but one that paid off in a massive way as the CYMS Cougars teenager claimed the final two wickets to spark Western celebrations.

Larance finished with 2-14 from 4.5 overs as North Coast fell 12 runs short, being bowled out for 203.

Fellow Dubbo bowlers Bower (1-17) and leg-spinner Marty Jeffrey (1-32) also contributed.

The other match in the group saw Central North defeat Central Coast.

Western takes on Central Coast on Saturday while Sunday’s clash with Central North could well decide who goes on to play the winner of the southern pool in the Country Championship final.

That match will be played at Bowral’s famed Bradman Oval later this month.