It didn't take Far West long to shake off the rust on Sunday as an opening loss in the new NSW Youth Championships was followed by a hard-fought win.
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Cricket NSW's new statewide competition got underway on Sunday, designed to streamline the junior representative pathways.
Country and metro areas have been separated, with Dubbo playing host to the Thunder Conference matches in the under 14s from Sunday until Tuesday, and then the 13s and 15s from Wednesday to Friday.
Dubbo-based players now feature in the Far West squad, which started its campaign on Sunday with mixed results in the Twenty20 matches.
The day didn't start ideally, but coach Glenn Shepherd wasn't too worried and it was proved why in game two.
"There was just a few areas where we came up short," he said after the opening loss to the Illawarra Highlanders.
Batting first in that game at Lady Cutler 1, Far West got off to a fine start as Fletcher Hyde (16) and Jack Fuller (20) pushed the score along to 40 in relatively quick time.
But things began to slow there as the Highlanders' slower bowlers began to tighten the screws.
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Condobolin duo Riley Keen (25) and Ryan Goodsell (25 not out) fired late to help Far West post 6/110 from its 20 overs.
Far West never really made great inroads with the ball as Nicolas Nicastri (41) guided the Ilawarra side to victory.
That game was followed by a thrilling win against ACT/Southern District Kings.
Goodsell again starred in that match, making 48 not out as Far West reached the target of 114 with four balls to spare.
The Kings made 4/113 after being sent into bat, as Akshay Joseph made 48.
Goodsell took one wicket and then guided his side to victory.
Keen made 28 after being promoted to the top of the order but a slump to 5/54 had the hosts in real trouble.
But Goodsell starred, making 48 from 46 balls to get his side on the board.
Far West next next meets the ACT/Southern District Barons in the championships, which now acts as a prelude to January's Bradman and Kookaburra Cups.
"Obviously it's only early days but it's a great opportunity," Shepherd said of the competition.
"It's giving the kids more game situations and that's a positive."