The triumphant Illawarra team celebrate their win over Central Northern to claim the under-16 Bradman Cup.
BRADMAN CUP
Illawarra claimed their first Bradman Cup under-16 trophy in 19 years with a 32-run win over Central Northern in the final at Hayden Drexel Oval in Nowra.
Batting first, Illawarra recovered from 3-12 and 4-43 to post 188 from their 50 overs.
Keira first-grader Daniel Constable made a match-defining 73 and put on 106 for the fifth wicket with Aaryn Kornberger, who made a fine 56.
Central Northern were 1-65 in the run chase but then lost 6-31 following some great bowling and fielding by Illawarra.
Phil Astill bowled a terrific 10-over spell, taking 3-18, while Kain Flynn-Duncombe took 3-36, with Central Northern bowled out for 156.
"The guys were outstanding. Having lost the final to Central North last year they turned the tables in some style," said Sean O'Brien, whose son Brody is the Illawarra wicketkeeper.
Making Illawarra's triumph more meritorious was the fact that just two players - skipper Constable and Astill - are under 16s, while the rest of the squad are under 15s and eligible to defend their Bradman Cup crown in 2014.
Having won the Bradman Cup, Illawarra now play a Twenty20 match against the AW Green Shield winners - Sydney's equivalent of the Country NSW Bradman Cup - for the under-16 State Challenge on February 17.
The Bradman Cup was hosted by the Shoalhaven Association with top under-16 players from eight NSW country associations: Illawarra, Central Northern, Central Coast, Riverina, Southern Zone, North Coastal, Newcastle and Western Zone.
Illawarra qualified as their pool winners following an opening day win over North Coastal, a victory over Western on day two and a loss to Newcastle in their final pool game.
Central Northern won all three pool games but in the final met an Illawarra team which performed when it mattered most.
