The side had started off its campaign strongly early in the week but could not match it with the more experienced metropolitan sides in the closing stages of the championships.

Assistant coach Darren Chapple said there was not particular moment that stood out during the championships.

“I think that is why we did so well,” he said. “We shared the load. If someone was having a quiet day there was someone else who could step up to take three or four wickets, or make 50 or 60.

“It was really a pretty even team performance.

“To get within 10 runs of a metropolitan side with a lot of premier-grad cricketers was a really good effort – it really could have gone either way.”

Chapple said Donald cricketer Nathaniel Holmes-Brown had certainly stepped up from his performance at the championships in 2017.

“He was really good,” he said. “He just bowled consistent line and length which meant he was asking questions all the time.

“I think he had a few more tricks in his bag this year as compared to last year so he’s obviously worked pretty hard at his game.”

Holmes-Brown claimed five wickets at the championships from his 25 overs.

His haul of wickets included 4-13 on the first day when he narrowly missed out on a hat-trick.

“He beat the bat a lot throughout the week,” Chapple said.