Artie Taylor scored 53 runs in the Western Primary Schools Sports Association (PSSA) Championship.
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The young gun delivered one of his best performances for the season, scoring the third highest tally for his team last week.
After years of battling for victories and often left playing off for minor positions on the final day, Western produced some of its best efforts in years on the way to finishing an impressive third in the entire state.
This years’ PSSA Championship campaign with the Western squad will be one coach Jordan Moran will treasure for a long time.
“It was absolutely outstanding,” Moran said last week at the conclusion of the carnival.
“The most proud I’ve ever been as a coach, the last four days.”
The third-placed finish was even more memorable due to the fact Western lost to the Polding on day one.
Following that loss the Western side scored a convincing win over Barrier and then two tight wins over North Coast and North West.
“We made 230 or 240 and then bowled them out for 50,” Moran said of the win over Barrier.
“We had North Coast on Wednesday and we got sent on a wet wicket and were all out for about 60 and then we had them 4/15 at lunch.
But after that they got to about 4/50 but we rolled the dice and got the last six wickets for about 10 runs.”
Watts performed well with the ball throughout and was one of the best in the loss to Polding, finishing with 2/9 from five overs.
Ambler starred in the win over Barrier, top scoring with 63, while Artie Taylor’s 53 was a crucial contribution.
Artie and Nate combined to finish with a classy 149-run partnership on day two.
The dominant duo were among the best players for Western.
Moran said the final day of the carnival, where his side played North West, was as much about ensuring everyone got a go as it was about winning.
Parkes’ Harry Bayliss (54) and Bathurst youngster Tim Currie (43) ensuring Western posted a competitive total of 7/176.
North West did gain the upper hand at one stage, Moran’s side fought back to win and seal third spot.
“We bowled the first 10 overs for only about seven runs but then a big boy came in and bombed a few but the boys showed a lot of character and determination,” Moran said.
“We got three wins from four and we haven’t done that in the six or seven years I’ve been involved so it’s a massive achievement.”
The South Coast PSSA Zone finished as the overall winner.
They defeated Mackillop by two wickets in a thrilling final.
