The future stars of Western Zone Cricket were on display at Victoria Park 1 on Sunday with some higher representative honours on the cards for some of the players.
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The Western Plains and Central West under 16s sides showed the future of the game in the region is in good hands.
Western Plains coach Glenn Shepherd said the game showcased some strong talent who will be in the mix for the Western Zone for the Bradman Cup to be played later this year.
"It's much about giving them opportunities to show their wares as it is winning or losing," he said.
"It's about identifying players for Bradman Cup.
"All that aside, it was a really impressive effort from our boys.
"We certainly had quite a few challenges."
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Western Plains won the toss and chose to bat first which looked the right decision as openers Fletcher Hyde and Jack Fuller added 39 for the opening wicket before the former was removed for nine.
Harry Roscarel joined Fuller who was bowled by Jack Strawns for 39 but the Western Plains number three dug in.
Roscarel hit five fours on his way to 51 before he fell lbw to Liam Cain.
Dugald Shepherd (29) and Max Richardson (26*) combined late in the innings to give Western Plains a competitive total of 9/225 from their 50 overs.
The Central West openers needed to get off to a strong start in the run-chase but Western Plains opening bowlers Ryan Goodsell had other ideas removing the top batters early.
Charlie Tink (67) and Eli Morris (32*) showed a lot of fight for Central West but Goodsell (4/27), Richardson (3/24) and speedster Riley Keen (3/25) took regular wickets to bowl out the visitors for 170.
Following the game, Shepherd felt Roscarel's innings showed the class the West Wyalong native has.
"He batted really well," he said.
"He was the backbone of our innings coming in at number three.
"He really held the innings together and paced himself really well.
"He used his feet to the spinners nicely and it was a really accomplished sort of innings."
Shepherd was also full of praise for Richardson who had a standout all-round game while still being one of the younger players in the side.
"Max Richardson did his thing down the bottom as well," he said.
"Both him and Harry [Roscarel] are younger-aged players.
"They've still got another year up their sleeve.
"They did really well to hold our innings together.
"We could've easily been bowled out for 160 or 170."
Shepherd said the range of talent shows how well Western Zone can be in years to come.
"That's right," he said.
"If you look at both teams there is options for both batting and bowling right down the lists.
"Part of that is the modern game.
"A lot of people have to have a couple skills in the game.
"But everyone who got an opportunity took it so it was great."
Sunday's match was the first of three meetings between the two sides with two Twenty20 games to be played in Orange on November 14 before the Western Zone side for the Bradman Cup is selected.
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