NSW CHS Girls Cricket Championships: Western loses to Riverina in heartbreaking fashion

The hosts tore through the Riverina middle order, and were on track to successfully defend their total of 86 when they had their rivals stuck at 9-56.

However, they were undone by a stunning last wicket stand from Charlotte Waring (10) and Alice Caldow (8).

Western's 23 wides would come back to haunt them in a big way as they couldn't quite find the decisive wicket, coming up short of several run out chances and LBW shouts.

Riverina opener Perri Nash (16) looked in good touch before she was adjudged LBW.

Western bowler Marites Woods finished with 4-21 and had one over featuring three dismissals - an over which appeared to turn the tide firmly in her side's favour.

Western lost just one wicket across their 20 overs, as Katie Letcher (34) and Maddy Spence (33) toiled away on a slow Sportsground outfield but played great cricket.

Letcher and Spence struggled to pick the gaps in the field but found their share of singles throughout the ground, and played solid strokes throughout the innings.

"It's disappointing but the girls put themselves in a position to win that game with some great fielding, like the catch in the deep from Montanna Griffith, and a run out plus some tidy bowling," Western coach Rachel McCann said.

"Hopefully they'll learn from those pressure situations that they've been in and apply those lessons for the next couple of tough matches ahead."

It was an improved effort with the bat for Western after a tough start to their campaign.

In the day's earlier match at the same venue Western were all out for 50 in their pursuit of Sydney East's 84.

No Western player managed to crack double figures in a tough day with the bat but Caitlin Keen was a standout with the ball, taking 3-17 including two wickets in as many balls.

"I thought they bowled well this morning but the batting in this afternoon's game was much better. We only lost one wicket this afternoon whereas we lost many more this morning," McCann said.

"We played with a little more intent on the ball in this game. Hopefully we can keep seeing some steady improvements."

Western will play Sydney North (George Park 1) and Sydney West (Brooke More Oval) in Tuesday's Twenty20 games before 50 over games take place on Wednesday and Thursday.