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.
Denied the chance to play in that representative game at Victoria Park, Emerging Wanganui's Akash Gill took 4-30 from his ten overs in Hawera, following up on his five-wicket bag for St Johns Tech in club cricket on Saturday.
In reply, Emerging Wanganui were bundled out for 130, with a handful of players reaching the 20's or the high teens with the bat, but no-one was able to make an anchoring innings.
"A few guys got starts and didn't go on with it," said Gillespie.
"They more got themselves out, trying to force things along.
"They'll be better for it - for the opportunity."
A number of the team will be in the frame for Wanganui's away game to Manawatu in the second round of the Furlong Cup this coming weekend.
Meanwhile, it was a better afternoon for the Ray White Wanganui Under 15 team, who batted out a first innings winning draw against Taranaki Under 15 at Western Park in New Plymouth.
Wanganui bowled Taranaki out for 130, with Canadian Akhil Kumar taking 3-14 including five maidens in his 11 overs.
Every player got a chance to bowl, with the other top efforts being Tomasi Connor (2-10) and Zac Farmer (2-18).
Wanganui then raised 236, with No3 batsman Kumar top scoring with 79, while opener Clark got 46 and James Craig came in at No7 to hit 47.
Scoreboard
Taranaki Under 15's 130 (S Darth 38, B Olliver 30; A Kumar 3-14, T Connor 2-10, Z Farmer 2-18) lost to Wanganui Under 15's 236 (A Kumar 79, J Craig 47, J Clark 46; B Olliver 3-34, J Fowler 2-17, T Tanishq 2-31) on first innings points.