TRENT Mitchell and Ben Andrews returned recently from representative duty with the North Coast cricket team, after mixing it with the best of the state.

The pair travelled to Newcastle with the team over the weekend, playing against the top regional teams in New South Wales.

While weather played havoc with their early fixtures Andrews said the trip was an invaluable experience.

"Rain postponed our first game. However, we were lucky to get a start against Central North," he said.

"Admittedly I didn't have my best match at the competition. However, I learnt so much from the experience."

While the North Coast team failed to record a win over the weekend, Andrews said the short preparation time hindered the team's chances.

"You are playing with guys from as far north as Tweed and as far south as Kempsey and Port, so it is hard for the side to really build any kind of coherency," he said yesterday.

"The best you can really do is just play to the best of your ability and hope it all comes together on the day."

With his Sawtell team looking for innings points in its match against PBBC Colts and tonight's first Twenty20 match of the season, there is plenty of cricket on Andrews' calendar.