They took part for the experience and the Emerging Wanganui team got a hard education in their 164 run loss to a Taranaki XI in Hawera on Sunday.
Coach Stuart Gillespie said the home side was a more well disciplined outfit who executed with all their skills, whereas the new-look Wanganui squad, consisting of nine players at Under 19 level, were a bit overawed.
"It was a chance to get a few young guys out for a game, that's how we looked at it," said Gillespie.
"It was a opportunity to see what it's like."
Taranaki raised 294 from their 50 overs led by a superb century by Kaylum Boshier - who was in top form after scoring 100 for New Plymouth Old Boys in club cricket on the Saturday, while he made a quickfire 43 against Treadwell Gordon Wanganui in the Furlong Cup the previous weekend.