That’s the message from Western Zone Bradman Cup coach Trent Hemsworth ahead of his side’s appearance in the NSW Country Cricket under 16s championship final at the Bathurst Sportsground on Thursday.

Western progressed into the decider on the back of Wednesday’s 10-wicket thumping of the Illawarra, with opening batsmen Bailey Brien (59 not out) and Blake Weymouth (34 not out) guiding the hosts to their most emphatic win of the carnival.

Western hasn’t won a Bradman Cup crown since 1996-97, with Thursday’s decider against the Central Coast gifting Hemsworth’s XI a chance to create a slice of history for the zone.

“We were looking at history of Bradman Cup … Central Coast and Newcastle seem to dominate this age group,” Hemsworth said.

“We’ll look to play the same way as we did coming into first game.

“I thought that Riverina game would be our toughest, it was a crucial game. We’ll set similar targets, do the right things and then maintain concentration all 50 (overs) of each innings. Win every session, win every over.”

After Tuesday’s narrow victory over ACT Southern where Ben Mitchell’s 4-25 guided his to victory in a game Hemsworth says Western was “lucky to get away with”, the hosts hit their straps in the final pool game of the carnival.

Despite a dogged innings from Illawarra opener Aidan Cook (33), Western was able to wrestle back the momentum and take regular wickets to bowl their opposition out for 111 in under 40 overs.

As has been the case all tournament, Western’s attack shared the spoils with Ben Wheeler (3-11), Mitch Ashford (3-25), Tanvir Singh (2-12), Ryan Dunn (1-13) and Brock Larance (1-22) all taking wickets.

Brien and Weymouth then steered Western past Illawarra’s total with all 10 wickets still in the shed.

“Bailey and Blake had the task of trying to bat through, hold their wickets, and they did. They did it in a positive fashion too,” Hemsworth said.

“Illawarra got off to a good start … they had a nothing to lose attitude to their batting and it generated a really good run rate.

“But we were able to peg a few quick wickets before drinks … and their total fell short.”

In Wednesday’s other fixtures, Newcastle scored a 30-run victory over North Coastal, Central Coast beat Central Northern by seven wickets, and ACT/Southern beat Riverina by eight wickets

Western’s clash with Central Coast in the final is also a showdown for the Hogg Shield, awarded to the premier zone of the summer.

It will pit the two form sides of the competition together in a thrilling contest.

The final starts at 9am.