An astonishing 20 wickets have fallen on Day 1 of the LJ Hooker League Grand Final between Goonellabah Workers Sports and Cudgen at Oakes Oval.

The home side won the toss and elected to bat in humid conditions on Saturday.

Cudgen opening bowler James Julius struck early, taking the three top order wickets of Rory McLean (0), Kaleb Armstrong (2) and Sam McLean (14), with Mark Denmeade (1) also falling in the opening overs.

Captain Andrew Kemmis (18) and Kale Hare (38) managed to steady the flow of wickets, before Julius again struck with several wickets, finishing with 7/32 off 17 overs.

Goonellabah were eventually all out for 95 in the 42nd over.

Cudgen then started confidently, scoring quickly and pushing for hard to reach the small total, but Josh Healy had other ideas.

Healy took the opening partnership with wickets in his third and fourth overs of the day.

With storm clouds building and the humidity increasing, conditions began to fall into Goonellabah's hands, with wickets falling at a regular rate.

Reece Gregor reaches his delivery stride in his opening over. Photo: Matt Barlow

Goonellabah eventually claiming all of Cudgen's ten wickets in the 30th over, all out for 129, a lead to Cudgen of 34.

Healy claimed the solid figures of 6/42 off 12.5 overs, Alec Watson took 3/25 off 6 overs and Reece Gregor 1/26 off 7 overs.

Sam McLean and Kaleb Armstrong then strode to the crease for the second innings, with just 1.2 overs being bowled before rain stopped play with Goonellabah 0/4.

Goonellabah will push hard to firstly reduce the deficit, and then look to post a competitive total to take their first title in the competition.

Play resumes on Sunday morning at Oakes Oval in the LJ Hooker League Grand Final.