In a match where RSL curiously sent Goolma out to bat first, their regular stars turned in timely, game-breaking performances and helped their side to a four-wicket win.

“Bowling has been our strength all year so we were trying to get them on the back foot,” Gulgong RSL captain Jared Clulow said.

Goolma put up 169 in the opening innings after Jason Warner (81) capped off a sensational campaign with fitting grand final knock.

Unfortunately for Goolma, Warner’s dig wasn’t followed up as the closest team run scorer was Mark Doherty (28) who posted just under 30 runs.

To make matters worse, Peter (0) and Damian Doherty (0) got out for ducks with Peter’s dismissal coming at the hands of the man of the match, Mark Hundy.

“He batted 30 overs and set us up. We needed someone to do that,” he said.

“Mick Jarvis bowled well too. He got three for not many.”

Jarvis (3/16), who’s been phenomenal in 2018, is among the Gulgong RSL players that have announced their retirements in the wake of Sunday’s victory.

Despite bowling a great first innings, Jarvis was hoping for a consistent batting effort from his side after lunch and that’s exactly what he got.

Cal Ruming’s (4) early dismissal put Gulgong RSL at panic stations but Hundy’s knock soon calmed them down.

After Hundy’s (53) half century, three RSL batsmen eclipsed the 20-run mark as David Lane made 38 off 48 balls.

It’s no surprise that Ashley Honeysett (2/27) was strong for Goolma as the Gulgong district representative bowled 10 strong overs but it wasn’t enough to propel his team into the winner’s circle.

Jared Clulow was always adamant that if his side bats for 50 overs it’ll be hard to beat and on Sunday, it batted for 47 before reaching the target. “Outside Jarvis and Lane, everyone should be back next year. We’ll need to keep a look out for young talent,” he said.