Rushford, 21, had never scored a first-grade half-century for the Magpies but showed his potential by scoring 82 not out in a rain-reduced 32-over match to decide the Newcastle district cricket one-day champions.

Rushford hit a six and five fours and shared an 84-run partnership in 10 overs with Disney that helped the Magpies to an imposing 5-193.

University were all out for 132 in reply.

Charlestown were 4-95 from 20 overs when skipper Steve Mace departed for 20, but he had already sent the SOS for Disney.

Disney, traditionally a lower-order batsman, has the ability to hit the ball a long way and Mace sent a message for him to come in ahead of a disgruntled Chris Connors at No.6.

The decision paid dividends when Disney cracked consecutive sixes off Robert Faraday-Bensley's second over and another two in one Josh Anderson over on his way to a whirlwind 47.

"Diz [Disney] did great job, he batted really well," Charlestown skipper Steve Mace said.

"I didn't want him sitting in the tent and then coming out and hitting 20 off 10 balls at the end and running out of overs.

"It paid off but Rushy [Rushford] was there just about the whole innings, and that's the best knock he's played for us in his time in first grade.

"He's got a few 30s and 40s but that was a terrific dig against a good attack, so he's definitely a good prospect."

Mace won the toss and elected to bat on a dry wicket that had rain-affected surrounds.

He and coach David Brown thought a score around 150 would have been competitive.

"When we got over 190 they were looking at scoring six an over from the start, but you've still got to bowl well because they've got blokes like Dutchy [Faraday-Bensley], Daniel Odd and [Josh] Anderson who can whack it," Mace said.

Faraday-Bensley top-scored for University with 36 and hit a towering six off Mark Curran onto the roof of the grandstand, but it was not enough for University to get their hands on the cup for the first time.

Charlestown last won the one-day final in 2006-07, the year after they won the first-grade final.