Despite crisp half-centuries to David Hussey and Andrew McDonald, Victoria could not overhaul Queensland's 5-274, which was built largely on a 161-run stand between Maher and Clinton Perren, giving the Bulls their first one-day title since 1997-98.

It also snapped the Bulls' frustrating four-game losing streak in the tournament's decider.

Nye (3-55) proved to be Queensland's unlikely hero with the ball, taking the key wickets of Victorian skipper Cameron White, Hussey and Adam Crosthwaite, as the home side's inability to post decent partnerships at the top of the order proved costly.

An important ingredient to Victoria's five-match winning streak leading into the final, Hussey loomed as the key to the Bushrangers' run chase after Michael Klinger, Jonathan Moss and Rob Quiney all lost their wickets in the 20s.

His value skyrocketed after White holed out cheaply in the 30th over, leaving Victoria requiring nearly eight an over to win its second piece of silverware this summer.

Hussey's 82-run partnership with McDonald, who recovered from a disappointing effort with the ball to top-score with 65, kept Victoria in the contest but the Bushrangers' innings quickly unravelled after he picked out Maher at cover on 62.

Maher was also a stumbling block for the Bushrangers earlier in the day when he posted his ninth domestic one-day ton, his 108 off 133 balls following a career-best 223 in last season's Pura Cup final against the Vics.

He and Perren, who made a typically unassuming 75, made the Victorian attack pay for failing to make the most of the new ball in batsman-friendly conditions.

While a fiery Shane Harwood was economical but wicketless and newcomer Darren Pattinson returned commendable figures of 2-49, Mick Lewis (2-62) strayed down the leg side with the new ball and had his figures somewhat flattered by two late wickets.

Despite Maher and Perren falling in consecutive overs late in the innings, the Bulls still managed to carve 46 off the final six overs to lift Queensland to its imposing total.

Queensland innings
Maher c Klinger b Pattinson 108 (133)
Hopes c Crosthwaite b Pattinson 30 (36)
Perren b Lewis 75 (92)
Philipson not out 22 (20)
Nye c Moss b Lewis 11 (12)
Buchanan run out 10 (7)
Simpson not out 5 (2)
Extras 13 (4lb, 7w, 2nb)
Total (5 wickets, 50 overs) 274

FoW: 1-57 (Hopes, 12.5 ov), 2-218 (Maher, 42.4 ov), 3-228 (Perren, 43.6 ov), 4-252 (Nye, 47.5 ov), 5-267 (Buchanan, 49.3 ov)

Bowling
Lewis 9 - 1 - 62 - 2 (2nb, 3w)
Harwood 10 - 1 - 40 - 0
Pattinson 10 - 0 - 49 - 2
McDonald 7 - 0 - 43 - 0 (3w)
Hussey 7 - 0 - 35 - 0
White 7 - 0 - 41 - 0

Victoria innings
Klinger c Hartley b Noffke 23 (35)
Moss c Hartley b Bichel 26 (41)
Quiney c Hartley b Simpson 26 (48)
Hussey c Maher b Nye 62 (72)
White c Philipson b Nye 8 (16)
McDonald not out 65 (64)
Blizzard b Noffke 7 (9)
Crosthwaite c Brant b Nye 7 (3)
Harwood b Hopes 0 (1)
Pattinson B Bichel 6 (4)
Lewis not out 9 (7)
Extras 14 (10lb, 4w)
Total (9 wickets, 50 overs) 253

FoW: 1-46 (Klinger, 10.1), 2-66 (Moss, 15.3), 3-94 (Quiney, 24.2 ov), 4-118 (White, 29.2 ov), 5-200 (Hussey, 41.5 ov), 6-215 (Blizzard, 44.6 ov), 7-226 (Crosthwaite, 45.6 ov), 8-226 (Harwood, 46.1 ov), 9-235 (Pattinson, 47.3 ov)

Bowling
Noffke 10 - 0 - 48 - 2 (2w)
Brant 6 - 1 - 27 - 0 (1w)
Bichel 9 - 0 - 37 - 2
Hopes 10 - 0 - 45 - 1
Simpson 5 - 0 - 31 - 1
Nye 10 - 0 - 55 - 3 (1w)

Sportal