THE Portland and District Cricket Association’s under-17 representative side competed in Warrnambool this last week, participating in the under-17 Country Week carnival.

It has not been smooth going for the side, who are undermanned, but other associations have helped out and provided players.

Good news was provided on Wednesday, too, when they were able to register their first win of the carnival, reasonably comfortably over Colac.

Ethan Williams took four wickets and Kaden Wilson two as Colac was dismissed for 120 from 40 overs.

After the top three failed for Portland, the middle order took up the challenge, and proved instrumental in chasing down the target, with Elwood Geary (South Gambier Cricket Club) contributing 37 and Williams, 22.

The first game was held at D.W. Jones Oval on Monday, and saw Portland take on Warrnambool Gold.

Geary top scored with 19, while Lewis Carmichael (Port Fairy CC) also batted well for 18, and Williams made 14.

Portland set a total of 97, which was chased down quickly by Warrnambool after a slow start, thanks to some excellent bowling from Wilson, who took 5-27 from his 11 overs.

On Tuesday, the Portland side played two T20 games, without much luck.

After Horsham set a target of 148, their restrictive bowling kept Portland to a score of just 88 in reply, despite Jackson Hansford (Spring Creek CC) and Wilson both making 28.

In the second T20, Portland made 92 from their 22 overs, with Hansford top scoring again.

Warrnambool Blue, in reply, made 3-156, with Eamon Dempsey (Port Fairy CC), Ethan Williams and Macauly Baker taking wickets.

With one win from four matches over the first three days of the carnival, Portland finished sixth on the ladder, and were due to contest the semi-final round Thursday, playing fifth-placed Hamilton, who also had a 1-3 record.

Under-15 Country Week

A young under-15 Portland side has struggled at their Country Week in Horsham, without a win in their first three games.

In their first game, against Hamilton at Hamilton, the home side batted first, making 4-227, with Chad Finck the best of the bowlers for his 2-34.

Portland were then dismissed for 72, with Tighe Warburton top scoring with 13.

In the second game, Portland took on Wimmera-Mallee, who made 8-181.

Seb Harvey, Toby Ralph and Tighe Warburton were the best of the bowlers, taking two wickets each.

Portland were then bowled out for 66, with Eamon Drew making 18, and Artie Harvey making 13.

Things improved on Wednesday, when they took on Warrnambool Blue.

A century for Matt Gome for Warrnambool did not help their chances with Warrnambool making 4-240.

Ben McDowell was the best of Portland’s bowlers, taking 2-22 from his five overs.

Artie Harvey and Chad Finck batted well for their 12 runs, while Kade Wilson also batted well for his 11.

Portland were bowled out for 106, in 47 overs, which was a marked improvement on their previous games. That left Portland in seventh position on the ladder, and they were due to play Horsham (sixth, one win and two losses) in a preliminary final round match Thursday.