The HCA was unable to cap off a first appearance in an under-15 country week grand final on home soil with victory.

Under grey skies, and feeling the fatigue from a week of intense competition, HCA's young guns couldn't keep pace with a benchmark Warrnambool Blue outfit, losing by eight wickets in the decider.

HCA started on its terms, choosing to bat first on a City Oval pitch that hadn't lost its green hue.

The hosts - save for a defiant middle order - all struggled against a potent Warrnambool attack, aided by the odd ball that misbehaved.

After a shaky opening, middle-order bat Hugh Dougherty (36) saw his side through the toughest period with a defiant knock, characterised more by the shots he chose not play than anything else.

Dougherty's doggedness ensured HCA could post a respectable total, with Oscar Gawith (24) playing a role to see the hosts through 122 off their allotment.

As the sky got darker and rain threatened, Warrnambool Blue built its chase around country week's leading run-scorer Flynn Wilkinson.

Wilkinson - who finished the carnival with 219 runs at an average of 54.8, and was later awarded joint player of the tournament - saw off HCA's attack, alongside fellow opener Aidan Forsyth (29).

The pair shared an 81-run opening stand before opening bowler Ammarr Khan dismissed Wilkinson for 35.

Khan was HCA's only wicket-taker, finishing with remarkable figures of 1-8 off his eight overs.

The young quick was the pick of the HCA's bowlers across the tournament, finishing with nine wickets to his name.

The hosts' second wicket would come from a run-out, as they were hamstrung by an immovable top-order.

The winning runs would come just in time for Warrnambool in the 36^th over, as the rain arrived shortly after.

It was a similar story for the Wimmera-Mallee Cricket Association in the third-place playoff, who lost by 42 runs in a Twenty20 clash against Colac.

William Allan (26) was the best with the bat, while Aaron Schofield (2-23) impressed with ball in hand.

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