The end of the road for 19s

Chasing 291 for victory, Victoria started brightly before losing four quick wickets on the stroke of lunch, leaving them precariously placed at 5-120 with no more recognised batsmen in the sheds.

Victoria continued to fight before eventually being dismissed for 280 after stubborn lower order resistance.

Loughman said that the period before lunch was a huge blow in the context of the game.

“It really was unexpected,” Loughman said.

“Losing a big cluster of wickets when chasing a big total puts you on the back foot and it probably cost us the game at the end of the day.”

Skipper Pat McKenna made his second consecutive half-century before holing out to deep backward-square, leaving the tail a further 90 runs to get with three wickets in hand – a total that proved out of reach.

However, Loughman praised the likes of Ejaaz Alavi, Sean Griffin and Jake Wood for their gutsy effort despite the loss.

“They all played really well, particularly Sean who made 55 and got us within striking distance,” Loughman said.

“They batted really intelligently and stuck to their strengths – it’s just a shame they couldn’t get us over the line.”

Keeper Rob Salerni had earlier blasted his way to a blistering 85 and shared a 93-run partnership with Shea Gribben before their dismissals triggered a collapse that Victoria never fully recovered from.

Loughman believes that his team learn from the result, as well as the rest of the tournament.

“I hope that they learn from the pressure situations they have found themselves in during the tournament,” Loughman said.

“Even though we all wanted to win this game desperately, its moments like these that the boys will look back on and learn from.”

New South Wales claimed the title after defeating Queensland yesterday, with Victoria finishing with a 2-3 record.

To see a full scorecard, click here.