WIMMERA MALLEE Cricket Association has finished its Bendigo Country Week division two campaign without a win from four attempts, after finishing an agonising 19 runs short of Goulburn Murray Colts on Thursday.
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A disciplined bowling and fielding effort from Wimmera Mallee saw it dismiss Goulburn Murray Colts for just 127 inside the 44th over at Huntly, after the Colts had won the toss and elected to bat.
Tim Bell picked up three wickets, as did Chris McPherson, while three of the last five wickets to fall were due to run outs.
In reply, Wimmera-Mallee lost wickets at regular intervals, before Darcy Cameron and Tom Trewin forged a 34-run, seventh-wicket partnership.
Cameron, 31 runs, was the only batsman to pass 15, as Wimmera-Mallee was dismissed for 108, before being required to bowl another nine overs.
Bell, the side's vice-captain, said it was the batting that possibly cost the side a win or two.
"We just didn't put the runs on the board," he said.
"We probably didn't quite have the depth we wanted in our batting."
Bell said while it was an enjoyable week, he was hopeful the side would build on this year's experience in future carnivals.
"It was a good learning experience for some of the younger guys, so hopefully next year we'll be a bit more competitive," he said.
Charlton bowler Andrew Wright was the leading Wimmera-Mallee and division two bowler, claiming 13 wickets at an average of 8.15 in just two matches.
Captain Jake Leith scored 142 runs at an average of 35.5, while Bell scored 122 runs and picked up eight wickets.
Emu Valley Cricket Association took out the division two title from Goulburn Murray Colts in Friday's country week final.