Matt Curwood, Jake McCartney, Nick Young, Paul Clack, Mark Curwood, Jamie Stevens and captain Don Colbert were outstanding across the weekend, dropping just one match.

After topping the nine-team division one, including a second Ballarat side, after the round-robin stage. Ballarat then won its semi-final to meet Sandhurst in the final. 

It prevailed four rubbers to two to successfully defend last year’s title.

The victory puts it six titles clear of arch rival Geelong.

Underlining the team’s dominance was the naming of three of its players in the all-star team.

At the conclusion of the tournament, seven of the best performing players receive all-star medals – Mark Curwood (undefeated from his eight matches), Young (seven from eight matches) and Colbert (seven from eight matches) named among the best.

Colbert said it was great to play alongside players that were among the nation’s best and performed on the world stage.

“For a number of us, it’s our favourite event now,” Colbert said.

The tournament also has extra meaning for the Ballarat team in recent years after the shield has been named in honour of Country Cup founder and Ballarat’s Kim McCartney – Ballarat has won four of six titles since the naming of the shield.

The Country Cup was first played in 1992, giving Ballarat an impressive strike rate in the tournament. 

Youngster Toby Clack played in Ballarat’s second division one side.

The 12-year-old is one to watch in the future, having already had plenty of success early in his career.