LJ Hooker League: Wrap, results, standouts from round one

A slice of history was made and a couple of teams put in statement performances as the LJ Hooker League kicked off over the weekend.

Marist Brothers kicked off its title defence in style. Picture: DC Photography

Frontline cricket returned to the Northern Rivers over the weekend as the LJ Hooker League kicked off for 2024/25.

Despite rain resulting in two games being abandoned, there was plenty of action around the competition as a couple of big guns made early statements.

A slice of history was created in one game, some competition newcomers were handed a reality check while one side made a strong start in its quest to play finals cricket.

Catch up with a wrap of the action below.

MARIST BROTHERS LAUNCH TITLE DEFENCE WITH BIG WIN

Marist Brothers’ Brendan Mitchell made early inroads into Pottsville’s top order.

Reigning premiers Marist Brothers have kicked off their title defence in style with a thumping seven-wicket victory over Pottsville at Stan Payne Oval.

An excellent team bowling performance saw the side bowl out the Pelicans for just 79, with the Brothers making light work of the chase, going past the target inside 15 overs and with the loss of just three wickets.

Things started brilliantly for Marist when Brendan Mitchell trapped Pottsville opener Mitchell Tripp in front LBW in the first over of the match.

Mitchell then dismissed Kai Allan a couple of overs later for his second before opening partner Harrison Gillett chimed in with the key double of Pottsville captain Jamie Tripp and Quinn Dobell to reduce the Pelicans to 4-42.

While things didn’t start well for Pottsville, it was soon about to get even worse, with the side collapsing to lose its last five wickets for just 13 runs to be bowled out for 79. Giles Creedon was by far the best with the bat, top scoring with 35.

Marist Brothers’ English recruit Harry Donelan made an instant impression in his club debut, taking 3-5 from 3.1 overs, while Mitchell, Gillett and Andrew Munroe all claimed two each.

While only chasing 80 to win, Marist Brothers stuttered at the beginning of its innings when Ashley Simes was bowled by Nathan Wilson for one in the second over.

However it only proved to be a momentarily blip as the premiers stormed home to past the total in the 15th over.

Kevin Warid top scored with 39 not out while Patrick Martin made 22.

Pottsville 10-79 (Creedon 35; Donelan 3-5, Munroe 2-14, Mitchell 2-18) lost to Marist Brothers 3-80 (Warid 39*, Martin 22; Creedon 1-14, Wilson 1-23) by seven wickets

CUDGEN WARM UP WITH DAY-NIGHT THRASHING

Cudgen skipper Alec Williams led his side to a big round one win. Picture: Cudgen CC

Another competition heavyweight in Cudgen has opened its account in emphatic fashion after the Hornets hammered Lennox Head by eight wickets in a day-night clash at Reg Dalton Oval.

In what is believed to be one of the first LJ Hooker League games – if not the inaugural fixture – played under lights, the Hornets were clinical with the ball to knock over the Pirates for just 119 before putting on a show with the bat to blast past the total after just 15 overs.

“We just bowled really well and managed to get through them pretty quick and chase the runs down,” said Cudgen’s Jamie Wilson. “We didn’t quite get to the best time to bat under lights, it was sort of the twilight period, but it was a really good day regardless.”

The decision to start at 3:30pm and play a day-nighter comes after Cudgen recently updated its lights and facilities. While other games have been played under lights at Reg Dalton Oval, the round one clash was the first regular season Hooker League fixture to be played as a day-nighter at the venue.

Far from a flash in the pan, it forms part of a plan designed to encourage fans and cricketers from other grades to get to the ground and watch local cricket, with Wilson confirming that the club has plans to host more day-nighters throughout the season.

“It’s probably the best ground on the North Coast. It’s just picturesque, it looks great. And if we can play more games under lights it’ll only be better for the club,” he said.

“It’s also just a good experience for other clubs. They might not have many who’ve played under lights before and now they get the chance to participate in a game like that. It’s good for the competition as a whole, not just our club.”

Cudgen’s victory – and in particular the bowling performance – was even more impressive considering that linchpin James Julius was ruled out just days before the game with a serious injury.

“He dislocated his knuckle and he’ll be out for three months,” said Wilson. “He’s probably the best bowler in the whole comp and we were very unlucky to lose him, but we’ve got a couple of young kids and a couple of older heads to get us through. We’ve got a really good set-up at the moment.”

Indeed, after sending Lennox into bat the Hornets got off to a great start when young gun Riley Weir dismissed Adam Fisher in just the fourth over.

Jamie Wilson made strong contributions with both the bat and ball.

Conor McDowell then came up with two big plays to run out Peter Johnston and Lennox danger man Nick Asser in quick succession to reduce the Pirates to 3-43.

And while a string of Lennox Head players made starts, Cudgen was able to make regular breakthroughs, with Alec Williams and Jamie Wilson picking up three wickets each as the Pirates were bowled out for 119.

With a reasonably small target to chase, Cudgen opener McDowell wasted no time chewing into the target, belting five fours and four sixes en route to a blistering 58 from just 34 balls.

Williams (24*) and Callum Prichard (22*) then finished the job as the Hornets cruised past the total in 15 overs to get their season off to a strong start.

While it was an impressive win for last year’s T20 competition winners and Hooker League grand finalists, it was a tough start to life back in first grade cricket for the Pirates, who returned to the Hooker League this season after taking out the second-tier Coastal League in 2023/24.

Lennox Head 10-119 (Fisher 19, Williams 16; Williams 3-23, Wilson 3-24) lost to Cudgen 2-123 (McDowell 58, Williams 24*, Prichard 22*; Asser 1-19) by eight wickets

TINTENBAR-EAST BALLINA BLAST PAST MURBAH

Kai Dalli led Tintenbar-East Ballina to a strong win. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography

Tintenbar-East Ballina has started its quest to play finals cricket this season off on the right foot after recording a comprehensive six-wicket victory over Murwillumbah at Kingsford Smith Oval.

An excellent team bowling performance led by Abe Gibson and Will Elphick saw the home side skittle the Panthers for just 123 before some excellent batting from young gun Kai Dalli helped his side ease past the target inside 23 overs.

After being sent into bat, Murwillumbah made a bright start and raced to 34 inside the fifth over before Steven Leahy snared the wicket of Kyle Leighton.

The wicket led to a change in momentum as his opening partner Jacques Peenz was dismissed in the following over.

And while the Panthers’ top order all made starts, none were able to capitalise as Gibson came into the attack to rip through the middle order.

The left-arm spinner took 4-22 in quick succession to leave Mur’bah struggling, while Elphick cleaned up the tail to finish with the impressive figures of 4-21.

In response, Tintenbar-East Ballina always looked in control.

Skipper Abe Crawford got the side off to a strong start with 28 from 24 balls, while number three Dalli took control of the chase.

Well supported by Ross Yelseth, who finished with an unbeaten 26, the North Coastal junior rep player scored 47 not out 52 balls to guide his side home after 22.1 overs.

The victory proved to be a positive start to the campaign for the side, which was disappointed to fade last season and miss out on the semi-finals.

Murwillumbah 10-123 (Miller 20, Leighton 19; Elphick 4-21, Gibson 4-22) lost to Tintenbar-East Ballina 4-124 (Dalli 47*, Crawford 28, Yelseth 26*; Miller 2-15) by six wickets

Originally published as LJ Hooker League: Wrap, results, standouts from round one