But despite having won only won match for the season, core players such as Mitchell Dahlenburg have gained beneficial experience playing the higher standard of cricket.

“It’s definitely been a step-up,” Dahlenburg said. 

“It’s been really good, a bit more competitive and some serious cricket.

“With the bowling they don’t give you as much to hit, it’s a lot more accurate and tighter bowling.

“The batsmen really punish the bad balls as well. You don’t get away with bad deliveries when you’re bowling.”

As the Warriors are now out of finals contention, Dahlenburg has also been given the valuable opportunity to co-captain the team for the remaining three rounds of the season.

West Wimmera’s Michael Preston said it would be beneficial for the club’s younger players to try their hand at the top job.

“I’ve handed the captaincy to him and Tim Braendler,” Preston said. “I think that’ll do them a world of good for next year to get a taste at it.”

Dahlenburg said he was excited to step-up into the role starting at the weekend against Rup-Minyip.

“It’s a really good opportunity to have a crack, I haven’t really captained since junior cricket so it should be good,” he said.

“With the captaincy now, because we don’t really have a shot at playing finals it’s all about giving people a crack at new positions and giving people some confidence with the bat and ball.”

Dahlenburg himself has been in sharp form as of late, and will need to continue it against Rup-Minyip in the two-day action this round. Rup-Minyip will be keen to snap a two game losing streak against the Warriors.

After a slow start to the season, Dahlenburg has made two half centuries in his last three contests.

RELATED: Jono Carroll’s career best season with the Horsham Saints

“It’s been good to make a couple of runs the last few weeks, I wasn’t really happy with how I started the season so I hope I can finish in some good form,” he said.

“It will be good to play the two-day cricket this round. It should give us all time to work our way in a bit more.”

In other contests, heavy-weights Homers and the Horsham Saints will do battle.

Homers will look to continue their undefeated run, but Saints’ openers Gary Davidson and Mark Crafter along with skipper Austin Smith and big-hitter Tim Bell can pile on plenty of runs if given the opportunity. 

Laharum will try to keep their finals hopes alive against the Jung Tigers at City Oval. Laharum are still only one match behind fourth place despite several losses in a row. With just three rounds remaining, Laharum need to start their push this round.