The 2018 Burns Cup was held over the weekend in the Southern Highlands, with Saturday’s game going ahead but Sunday’s match washed out.

Defending Burns Cup champions the Highlands were up against the Illawarra on Saturday and despite rain during the week, captain Nathan Wright said the pitch had been well prepared for the match.

Winning the toss and electing to bat, Wright said he wanted the Highlands to post a total of at least 250 runs.

But poor batting from the top order made this too difficult a task for the home side which finished with 162 from 48.4 overs.

“We were lucky to get 100 there for awhile,” Wright said.

Mitchell Wright made a crucial 37 late in the innings to boost the Highlands’ total.

Joel Goring combined well with Mitchell Wright and the pair put on close to 60 runs.

Nathan Wright also chipped in with 30 runs.

Up against a strong Illawarra side, Wright said he knew the Highlands would struggle to contain them at the crease.

Illawarra finished at 6-163 from 41.5 overs to claim a four wicket win.

Wright and Dean Roxburgh claimed two wickets each, while Mitchell Wright and Matthew Pike also got one wicket apiece.

Describing the result as a “bit of a touch up”, Wright said it was good to play against “some very good cricketers”.

“It was a bit of a learning curve. They bowled really well- there were no loose balls and they took their chances.”

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Wright said the Highlands also “bowled really well but probably weren’t in the match”.

The home team fielded well but it was “just the top order let us down”.

With Sunday’s match against Shoalhaven washed out, the teams will now have to replay the match in the coming weeks to see who finishes in third and fourth spots.

With a few players including Alex Debs, Dave Spies and Chris Weller unavailable over the weekend, Wright said he expected them to be back for the match against Shoalhaven.

He said he was confident of a better performance in the next match.

“Illawarra were just more professional and too good on the day.”

The Burns Cup players will now return to their Highlands teams with the HDCA first grade competition resuming this weekend.

Robertson will take on Hill Top on Saturday at Lackey Park and in the other match Bowral will face Wingello at Bradman Oval.