Ehren Hazell's Australian under-21s have avoided the ignominy of finishing with the wooden spoon at the Sultan of Johor Cup thanks to a 4-2 win over New Zealand in their fifth/sixth play-off.
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After claiming just the one win through the pool stages in Malaysia, the Burras produced their best performance of the tournament to completely dominate their Kiwi rivals and finish what has been a disappointing campaign on a high note.
"We took our chances well today as opposed to last night where we created more chances but could not convert," Burras coach Ben Bishop said post match.
"This is a great tournament and we hope to be invited again next year."
"We will bring our best players with a view of the 2021 Junior World Cup in mind."
The two sides had met in the final preliminary pool match with the Kiwis getting up 3-1.
Intent on avenging that, the Burras got their mission off to a great start with two goals in the first quarter.
Daniel McBride opened scoring in the 13th minute with skipper Lachlan Busiko doubling the advantage just before the hooter marking the end of the first quarter. Busiko netted his second in the 27th minute to give the Burras a 3-nil half-time lead.
The Kiwis cut the difference back to two goals in the 36th minute, but McBride's second two minutes later sniffed out any prospect of a fight back.
It's the first time in Hazell's three years with the side they haven't medalled at the tournament after winning bronze last year and gold in 2017.
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His attention now turns back to the NSW Pride, who kept their unbeaten Hockey One streak intact on Sunday with a 6-1 win over Hockey Club Melbourne at Sydney Olympic Park.
A three goal-haul to Kurt Lovett, a brace from Blake Govers and diving field goal from Flynn Ogilvie were the highlights of the Pride's five goal win, which puts them firmly in second spot behind the Brisbane Blaze on the ladder with a game in hand.
The performance was a stark contrast to that of the Pride women's side featuring former Tamworth stars Kate Jenner and Alice Arnott, who went down to a clinical Melbourne team 7-2 earlier in the day.
A second quarter flurry of goals saw the visitors take a 4-1 lead into half-time and it was an uphill battle for the Pride from there.
They did though have the final say of the game with Jenner blasting a shot at goal in the final minute, which took a final touch off Casey Sablowski to drag the score back to a five goal difference.
On Friday night Isaac Farmilo's Adelaide Fire side were beaten by the Perth Thundersticks 6-4 after the two sides were locked at 2-all at half-time.
The Pride now head to Perth next Saturday to take on the Thundersticks while the Fire host the Canberra Chill.
