Illawarra were competitive but lost their three games at the NSW Country under-17 championships at Raymond Terrace.
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Promising bowler Jason Ralston took nine wickets in the carnival to earn a place in the NSW Country 17s squad.
Newcastle pipped Southern Zone as carnival winners after both won all three games.
Illawarra (184) were outgunned by Riverina (9-265) in the opening pool game before a tight two-wicket loss to Southern and another two-wicket loss to Western Zone in Sunday's final pool game.
In the first match last Friday, Port Kembla first grader Anthony Purdevski took 2-40, Ralston 2-44 and Taylor Harvey 3-50 against Riverina, who made an imposing 9-265 off 50 overs.
Illawarra battled hard in the run chase and were 9-184, with skipper Callum Waldock (49) and opener Kieren Richards (41) top scoring.
On day two against Southern, Illawarra posted 172, led by Nicholas Henderson's unbeaten 51.
Southern's Dylan Jordan (47 not out) played the key innings, with Ralston outstanding with 4-27.
In their final game against Western, Illawarra made a competitive 187 led by Wollongong first grader Sameer Murthy's 61. Ralston took 3-25, but Western won with 15 balls to spare.
