Goonellabah Workers close in on cricket finals

GOONELLABAH Workers Sports has secured its spot in the Far North Coast LJ Hookr League cricket semi-finals after six straight wins in the second half of the season.

The top four will likely be Cudgen, Marist Brothers, GWS and Casino with the semi-finals to be played on March 22 and March 23.

The club is a joint venture between Goonellabah and Lismore Workers which formed four years ago.

They have played in two finals and were premiers in the 2022-23 season.

GWS Coach Graham Armstrong said the club has enjoyed success off the back a long-term plan and preparation.

“We had a pretty deliberate plan from the start of the season and we’re just starting to see that come together now,” Armstrong said.

“You can probably predict where the top four will finish and you really need to have one of those spots locked up by this point of the season.”

The team has found success with experienced players and are now turning to youth for its leadership roles.

All-rounder Brady Toneillo took on the captaincy this year, while the likes of Kale Hare and Damien Santin have been consistent performers.

“Brady is a young captain and it’s been a big learning curve for him,” Armstrong said.

“We’ve relieved a lot of pressure off him as the season has gone on and his game has really kicked into gear.

“We have a solid group of guys spread across the team.

“If someone fails in the top order, someone always seems to stand up and it’s not always the same guys getting us out of trouble.”

GWS has an X-factor in its ranks with the return of talented top-order batsman Ben Cooper.

He has played international cricket with the Netherlands and is one of the best players to come out of the Lismore District junior system.

Cooper, 33, scored a century and was the difference when they defeated Marist Brothers in the Lismore derby on February 22.

They will play Brothers again in the semi-finals.

“Ben has been a professional cricketer at some level for 15 years,” Armstrong said.

“He’s starting to build a life for himself outside of the game, but we knew from the start of the season what dates he was going to be available.

“You can’t buy the leadership he brings, I would have him in the team any day of the week.”

There is one more round of one-dayers scheduled for March 15 (weather pending).

FINALS AS IT STANDS

Cudgen v Casino at Reg Dalton Oval, Kingscliff

Marist Brothers v Goonellabah Workers Sports. Venue (TBA).