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Goulburn-Highlands claimed their first Burns Cup representative crown and denied South Coast a fifth straight title with an emphatic 112-run triumph in Sunday’s final at Bradman Oval.
With just co-skipper Brendan White and Kiama captain Matt O’Brien returning from the South Coast side which won the title last year, they were no match for the emerging Goulburn-Highlands in the decider at Bradman Oval.
The annual carnival features the four associations in Southern Zone - South Coast, Goulburn-Highlands, Shoalhaven and Far South Coast - in a knockout 50 overs format.
On Saturday Goulburn thrashed Shoalhaven and top seed South Coast easily chased down 201 in a seven wicket win over Far South Coast to qualify for the Cup final.
South Coast suffered an early blow in the decider with O’Brien splitting the webbing in his hand between the thumb and index finger while attempting a catch early in Goulburn’s innings.
O’Brien took no further part in the match with Goulburn posting a competitive 8-256, led by a fine unbeaten 93 from wicketkeeper Ben Hamilton and 55 from skipper Nathan Wright.
Ryan Chatterton took 4-40 and on the postage stamp-sized Bradman Oval, South Coast were favourite to chase down the five-an-over run rate required.
But with a host of top batsmen including Ben Mitchell, Michael Arblaster, Kieran Gray and Michael Arblaster having left the South Coast comp, the batting depth was exposed with South Coast dismissed for just 144.
Mick Perry (39) top-scored while Chatterton (28) batting at No 9 and co-captain Scott Cox (20 not out) at No 10 led a doomed rear-guard rally.
In an excellent team bowling performance five Goulburn bowlers took two wickets, led by Alex Deb’s 2-12.
‘‘I think it just showed how much experience we have lost in the squad to have just two players backing up from last year,’’ Cox said.
‘‘We had a few guys new to this level and they’ll benefit from a game like this. We didn’t bat anywhere near well enough and losing Matty (O’Brien) early on didn’t help.
‘‘Goulburn Highlands played well to claim their first win and we have to learn from this and come back stronger next time.’’
There were few signs of the cracks in South Coast’s batting armour in their easy seven wicket win over Far South Coast on Saturday.
Set 202 for victory after Sam Williams made a brilliant 118 for the visitors, Perry smashed an unbeaten 92 for South Coast, who won with almost 18 overs to spare.
Perry and South Coast co-captain Brendan White (68 not out) put on an unbroken stand of 130, with White also taking 4-36.