NORTH Nowra-Cambewarra product Kaleb Phillips and his ACT/NSW Country have fallen two wins short of achieving back-to-back under 19s national championships after they were knocked out at the semi-final stage on Wednesday.
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After finishing second in their pool, thanks to a 3-3 record, Phillips' side were pitted against state rivals NSW Metropolitan for a spot in the decider.
At Perth's Lilac Hill Oval, Country won the toss and elected to bat first.
Behind Brock Larance (74), Nicholas Broes (55) and Glenn Winsor (45), Country posted 9/230 from their 50 overs - with Phillips only managing six from nine deliveries.
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For Metro, both Josh Baraba (3/40) and Bradley Simpson (3/43) took three wickets each.
In reply, Country got the early wicket they needed, dismissing Yuvraj Sharma for just six - seeing Metro fall to 1/19.
But a 112-run second-wicket partnership by Lachlan Hearne (81) and Jack Attenborough (63) guided Metro past the target (6/232) in the 48th over.
With the ball, Henry Railz (4/22) did what he could - as Phillips finished with 0/13 from his two overs.
NSW Metro will now face Victoria Country in the final at the WACA from 1pm (AEDT) on Thursday - after the latter edged Victoria Metro (8/296 to 153) in the other semi-final.
Phillips' Country side will play off for third against Victoria Metro from 12.30 (AEDT) Thursday.