LJ Hooker League: New clubs Lennox Head and Banora Colts record strong wins in round two

After a difficult start to the season, the competition’s new boys have opened their accounts for 2024 in style with big wins in the LJ Hooker League.

The Tweed Banora Colts kicked off their season in style. Picture: supplied

The two new teams in the competition have opened up their respective accounts for the season with strong wins during round two of the LJ Hooker League.

After a first round washout, the Tweed Banora Colts showed why they have high expectations for the season with a 57-run win over Tintenbar-East Ballina, while Lennox Head bounced back from a round one thrashing to down Pottsville by 60 runs.

It was a pretty impressive first-up hitout for the Colts, returning to frontline cricket this season after spending the previous campaign in the second-tier Coastal League, who posted a total of 168 on a tricky wicket at Dave Burns Field before bowling out their rivals for just 111.

“Obviously the boys were up for week one but the wicket wasn’t ready, and to come out and beat Tintenbar was a really good effort,” said president Mark Wood. “It was a tricky wicket, really soft and spongy, so it was hard work. We batted first and put a good score on and got the win.”

Opener Sam Powell led from the front for the Colts, blasting 48 off just 27 balls to get the team off to a strong start.

And while only four players managed to get into double digits, strong contributions from Michael Gardner (43) and Arren Laycock (35) helped set up a decent total in the conditions.

“It was a 250-270 wicket if it was nice and dry but to get 170 was pretty good,” said Wood.

The Colts then turned it on with the ball, rolling Tintenbar-East Ballina for just 111.

Tom Byrnes ripped through the top order by taking 3-19 from six, while left-arm swing bowler Jarrod Thomas capped off a dream debut for the club by slicing through the middle order and finishing with the impressive figures of 4-24 from six.

It marked a dominant win for the team, which has high hopes for the campaign despite only returning to the top-grade Hooker League this season.

Sam Powell got the Colts off to a strong start. Picture: supplied

“I copped a bit of a roast off a few of the boys for putting a bit of pressure on them but I said, ‘I’m the president of the club and these are my expectations, so go and do it,’” laughed Wood.

“As I said previously, we’ve got a really strong side across the board. If we’re all putting in and playing good cricket, we’ll be there when the whips are cracking at the end.”

Meanwhile there was a sense of relief over at Megan Crescent Oval in Lennox Head as the Pirates recorded a big win over Pottsville.

Batting first, the home side put on an impressive total of 8-204 from its rain-reduced 37 overs.

After slumping to 6-91, a middle- and lower-order fightback from Andrew Lindsay (41), Robert Dorey (33*), Bailey Thomson (31) and Todd Fisher (22) pushed the side towards a healthy total, before the Pirates cleaned up the Pelicans for 144, with Fisher continuing his good day out with 3-28 from eight and skipper Nick Asser also picking up three wickets.

“It was just generally good for the confidence,” said Asser. “It was looking pretty dire at the start of the year but it seems like we’re getting a few blokes back.

Lennox Head bounced back from a disappointing round one loss with a big win. Picture: supplied

“I never assumed we were going to be in the bottom few but the win will give us a bit of a boost,” he added. “It is good for the camaraderie to get that first win and it just gives us a bit of confidence that we are up to first grade standard and that we can give it a real shake.”

Indeed, despite the team winning last year’s second-tier Coastal League, there were concerns about how Lennox Head would fare this season following the loss of a string of key players.

This was exacerbated after a round one hammering at the hands of heavyweights Cudgen, however the victory has helped to ease any concerns Pirates players might have had.

“Against Cudgen it was a big ‘Welcome back to first grade’ moment,” said Asser. “A few blokes hadn’t really had a net or hadn’t had too many hits or bowled too many balls, so there was a bit of rust in the first game of the year. It was a tough blow.”

Andrew Lindsay top scored for the Pirates with 41.

“But I guess we all look at the scores from the other games to see what other teams are doing and Pottsville got rolled for not many in round one, so it was natural to go into it with a bit of confidence. And I think we know the players we have in our side and what everyone can do.”

In other results, a stunning spell from Andrew Munroe helped defending premiers Marist Brothers to a 30-run win over local rivals Goonellabah in an exciting clash at Queen Elizabeth Park.

Chasing 185 to win, Goonellabah was travelling well at 4-137 before Munroe ran riot through the batting line-up, triggering a collapse that saw their opponents lose 6-27 and finishing with a personal haul of 5-30 from seven overs to ensure his side remains undefeated after two rounds.

Fellow heavyweights Cudgen continued its hot start to the season, rolling Alstonville for just 63 before cruising past the target after 9.1 overs and with nine wickets in the shed, with young spinner Harry Kershler doing the damage with four wickets.

Meanwhile Casino got its season off to a flyer with a thumping 118-run win over Murwillumbah. Oliver Walker (60) and Jordan Williams (46*) were in good touch with the bat as the team posted 9-208 from its 40 overs before rolling the Panthers for just 90.