IT WAS sweet redemption for the Goulburn/Highlands cricket team.
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After four successive final defeats to South Coast, Goulburn/Highlands turned the tables with a 112-run victory in the Burns Cup decider on Sunday at Bradman Oval, Bowral.
It was the first time Goulburn/Highlands had won the cup in the entity's history.
Southern Zone Cricket life member Barry Templeman presented the cup to Goulburn/Highlands captain Nathan Wright on Sunday afternoon.
Wright told the Southern Highland News that it "just felt good" to win.
“I’ve done this for a long time and we’ve been copping a flogging, so it’s nice to finally turn the tables,” he said.
Wright won the toss and elected to bat first, with his team posting 8/256 from its allotted 50 overs.
Ben Hamilton starred with an unbeaten 94, while Wright (55) and Simon Reid (27) were next best for the home side
Brian Chatterton was the pick of the South Coast bowlers with figures of 4/40.
South Coast struggled in the second innings and was eventually bowled out for 144 - 112 runs short of its opponent.
Mitch Wright, Alex Debs, Murray Burgoyne and Steve McNaught each took two wickets.
Nathan Wright said Goulburn/Highlands had stuck to the game plan of keeping wickets in hand when batting and taking early wickets with the ball.
“I was confident with the boys we’ve got,” he said.
“It’s a very proud feeling.”
Goulburn/Highlands coach Bob Smith said he was proud of his team's performance.
"It was the fifth year in a row that we played South Coast in the final and we were due," he said.
"Credit to the boys, they stuck at it and worked hard.
"It's particularly pleasing to turn the tables."
“I’ve done this for a long time and we’ve been copping a flogging, so it’s nice to finally turn the tables.”
- Goulburn/Highlands captain Nathan Wright
South Coast co-captain Brendan White said Goulburn/Highlands was "too good today".
Despite the disappointing result, White said the team enjoyed playing at Bradman Oval.
"It's the best place to play in any district we get to play in," he said.
Goulburn/Highlands earned its place in the final with a six-wicket win over Shoalhaven on Saturday at Lackey Park, Moss Vale.
Disciplined bowling saw Goulburn/Highlands restrict its opponent to just 86 in the first round encounter.
Mitch Wright (3/15) and Alex Debs (3/27) led the home side's bowling attack, while Murray Burgoyne and Dean Webb took two wickets apiece.
Goulburn/Highlands passed the total for the loss of just four wickets, with Ben Hamilton scoring an unbeaten 26.
South Coast defeated South East at Bradman Oval to progress through to the Burns Cup final.
On Sunday, Shoalhaven gained some consolation by beating South East in the third versus fourth match at Lackey Park.