Pilbara Junior Country Week teams test their mettle against kids from around the State

Junior cricketers from across the Pilbara have returned from WA Country Week with a mixed bag of results, putting up some impressive runs but falling to upsets in finals.

Taking place across Perth ovals between January 8 and January 12, three junior Pilbara teams made the long trek to the metro area to test their mettle against some of the best cricketers from across the State.

In the U14 B-grade black competition, West Pilbara had a stellar group stage, going undefeated through all four rounds to sit in second place heading into the finals, behind Busselton-Margaret River due only to bonus points.

But it was the semifinal in which they faltered, falling to Esperance by 23 runs to see a grand final berth slip through their fingers.

And to add insult to injury, the West Pilbara youngsters then fell to Busselton-Margaret River in the third-place playoff game, which meant they returned home without silverware despite their brilliant efforts in the group stage.

In the U14 B-grade gold competition, the Port Hedland team struggled against opponents from Bunbury, the Great Southern and Mortlock.

The team slumped to four straight defeats, before bowing out to Great Southern in the semifinal.

In the U16 B-grade competition, West Pilbara put in some valiant efforts but ultimately ended the group stage with just one win.

In the finals, however, the Pilbara teens picked up their pace, smashing Northam to book their place in the fifth-place playoff against Busselton-Margaret River — a game they won with overs and wickets to spare.