CHAMPIONS: The Bradman Cup winning Illawarra side celebrates their 32 run victory over Central Northern. Members of the victorious team are, Reece Nikitaras, Callum Waldock, Daniel Constable, Toby Flynn-Duncombe, Aaryn Kornberger, Kain Flynn-Duncombe, Toby Dodds, Raman Wadhwa, Anthony Purdevski, Mitchell J Phillips, Mitchell Phillips, Brody O’Brien and Phillip Astill.
SHOALHAVEN may not have made the final of last weekend’s Bradman Cup competition hosted in the area but the famous trophy did not have far to travel.
Following a week of quality cricket by the region’s best under 16 cricket players, South Coast neighbours, Illawarra, claimed the Bradman Cup for the first time in 19 years when they defeated Central Northern by 32 runs in the final at Hayden Drexel Oval.
Batting first Illawarra recovered from 3/12 and 4/43 to post 188 from their 50 overs. Central Northern looked comfortable in their run chase at 1/65 but then slumped to 6/31 following a spell of great bowling by Kain Flynn-Duncombe 3/36 and Phillip J Astill 3/18. The victory adds another piece of silver wear to the trophy cabinet of the young Illawarra team who have been almost unbeatable since their under 14 Kookaburra Cup victory in Taree last season followed by state challenge success at the SCG. Most of the team will be eligible to play Bradman Cup again next season strengthening their chances of defending the title.