The Grampians Cricket Association has walked away from the under-17 Kirton Shield representative tournament with just one win and a narrow loss from their four matches.
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The Grampians side finished last on the ladder of 5, but started the tournament with a tight 3-wicket win in the first game against eventual finalists Castlemaine.
At Stawell's Central Park the Grampians won the toss and sent Castlemaine in to bat in the 50-over one-day game, where they struck with two early wickets, reducing the visitors to 2-12.
Castlemaine opening batsmen Eddie Gingell steadied the ship with 60 off 117 deliveries, before Asher Butcher, with an unbeaten 40, guided the Castlemaine home a total of 10-142 from their 50 overs.
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For the Grampians, Will Wickham did the damage with 4-21 from his five overs, while James Phillips and Lachlan Dalkin claimed 3-24 and 3-27 respectively.
In the Grampians' innings there was even contributions with Lachlan Dalkin's 40 the highest score while James Phillips and Jack Cann both contributed with 23 and 22 runs respectively to help guide the team to a dream start to the week.
On Tuesday January 19 the team travelled to Ballarat where they suffered a 165-run defeat as Ballarat batted first and piled on 4-257.
Sam Phillips' 1-5 from two overs was the best of the Grampians bowlers.
Set a tough task, the Grampians were dismissed after 38 overs for 92. Cameron Wickham top scored with 28 from 65 balls.
In the Grampians' third clash they were narrowly defeated by Grenville at the Linton Recreation Reserve.
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The Grampians won the toss and batted first before, being bowled out for just 73 after 35 overs.
But a heroic bowling performance wasn't enough as Grenville finished all out for 82 off 39 overs.
In the sides' final match of the tournament they were comprehensively beaten by Gisborne who claimed a 137 run win.
Gisborne batted first at Central Park, where the went on to post a strong total of 8-215.
The Grampians run chase never got going, as they were dismissed for 78 off 37 overs.
Lachlan Dalkin was a standout across both innings, claiming 3-60 and top-scoring with 31.
Ballarat and Castlemaine will face off in the tournament final on January 31.
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