Despite a strong start, the Highlanders eventually went down by nine wickets in round five action of the Dowling Shield.

Central Highlands openers Josh Pegg and Connor Palmer made a promising start with the bat, making 26 runs off 32 balls and 10 off 26 respectively to give the Highlanders a 41-run opening stand.

But there was little help from the rest of the order, Jack Ginnivan (17 runs off 19 balls) the only player to make double figures after the strong start.

Central Highlanders all out for 81 from its 20 overs.

Callum Stow taking 4-15 while Riley Berg took 3-13.

Barwon put itself in the box seat with a 73-run partnership between Tom Scott, 42 from 53, and Josh Sorgiovanni, 29 from 44. 

Barwon passed the Highlanders total at just one wicket down, eventually batting out its 20 overs to score 3-101.

Daniel Lalor the pick of the Central Highlands’ bowlers, taking 2-14 – the other wicket being a run out.

The Dowling Shield now breaks for Christmas with the Highlanders to return on January 15 for what will be its last match of the under-16 state championships, playing Metropolitan West in Footscray.

January’s round six on Monday will lead into a week of finals starting on Tuesday with the top two of each four pools advancing.