The Novacastrians have now won 16 of the 34 NSW Country Championship grand finals after downing the massive underdogs by 67 runs at Goulburn's Seiffert Oval yesterday.

Riverina has won the tournament only once- in 2002-03- and it was only the zone's second appearance in a decider.

Riverina battled bravely but Newcastle did the one percenters- taking quick singles, fielding-better.

"They did, we knew they were good but once we saw them in person and how drilled they were, they're at another level from what we had played previously," captain Zac Simmonds said.

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Riverina sent Newcastle in after five of the previous six matches at the venue were won by the team batting second.

"To be quite frank, I was a bit surprised about that decision, we would have batted first on that wicket," captain Nick Foster offered.

Riverina bowled the powerhouse out for 188 off 48.5 overs.

Ryan Van Kemenade top-scored with 33, but when Nathan Brown, who had an excellent first spell of eight overs, conceded 23 runs in the 47th over, Newcastle stole the momentum.

Earlier Brown, Wodonga's Theo Valeri and Corowa's Ben Mitchell had restricted Newcastle which went half the innings without hitting a boundary on the slow outfield.

In reply Riverina had moved comfortably, albeit slowly, to none-21 from 11 overs when a run out changed the match.

Aiden Cahill was clearly the game's fastest bowler and when Matt Sharp hit the ball to cover and ran, Dean Bennett stayed at home in what would have been a risky single at best.

Riverina lost 3-2 and the match was effectively over.

Teenager Bennett hit a patient 25 from 64 balls, while Valeri enhanced his reputation with a classy 38, combining in a half-century stand with Mitchell (21).