WDCA cricketers are back in the North East following a disheartening campaign at Melbourne Country Week.

The local representative side faced South West Cricket for their final match on Thursday, hoping to record their first win of the tournament at the Syd McGain Oval in Strathmore.

Their closest match of the tournament, WDCA would come up just 37 runs short, bowled out for 224 chasing 9/261.

The WDCA bowlers had a tough time wrangling the South West batting line up, regularly going for more than four runs an over.

Paddy McNamara would break a 50-run opening partnership after hitting Eddie Lucas in front of the stumps out LBW, but the South West top order would continue to pile on the runs.

Brothers Josh Nanson (4/57) and Tyler Nanson (2/60) ripped through the middle order but copped some stick on the way, while gloveman Ryan Collier was kept busy behind the stumps, pouching four catches.

With 262 needed at a tick over five runs an over, the WDCA batters would need to be on their game from the first ball.

After Cooper Matheson fell for a quickfire 26 from 19, opener Tyler Nanson anchored the innings, working his way to a half century before he was dismissed for 69 off 77.

At 4/130, WDCA were in trouble, and while there were some handy contributions from the middle order, no one went on with the innings.

WDCA finished the tournament winless at ninth overall, avoiding the wooden spoon by having a better net run rate by 0.096.

Squad member Dylan Bursill said it was a long week for the team.

“We were pretty disappointed with how we went on-field,” he said.

“Hopefully the WDCA can continue to do Country Week and put some better sides together in future.

“We probably needed a few extra top order batters, and our bowling was very light on.

“We had Paddy McNamara and Matt Ryan, who are really handy bowlers, but after that the bowling was pretty light.

“We got found out when we were bowling and in the field, couldn’t really make any breakthroughs with the ball.

“Against teams like that you need a bit more depth – once you let them off the leash, they bat right down to nine or 10.”

Bursill said if the league wants to be competitive at Country Week, the onus of selection should be put back on the clubs.

“Clubs should ask players to represent their clubs, because it’s a good look for the club to send their best players down,” he said.

“Hopefully the clubs can have a bit more input, all clubs.

“Out of the initial squad the WDCA put up, I think only eight players put their hands up to go.

“From what the WDCA thought were possibly the 30 better players in the league, with only eight going and having to find another five players, it’s disappointing.”