Goonellabah Workers Sports and Marist Brothers will clash at Oakes Oval on Saturday in the LJ Hooker League Competition.

The Goonellabah side will go into the match as favourites after a strong start to 2023 after the Christmas/New Year break, defeating ladder leaders, Tweed Banora Colts last week.

Young opener Rory McLean returns to the side after a successful stint in Sydney and captain Alec Watson will have a near strength side at his disposal against Brothers.

All rounder Kale Hare will miss the match, but the strength of the side over the past two seasons is the ability for numerous players to step up when needed with both bat and ball.

Marist Brothers on the other hand have had a mixed 2023 with a strong win over the Ballina Bears but followed the win with a loss to Pottsville last week.

Brothers will again be without Pat Martin and will look to Ashley Simes, Kevin Warid, Israr Mabood and the two sets of brothers, Cleaver and Hamshaw to put partnerships together.

The match will commence at 1:00pm at Oakes Oval, with the second day of play set down for next Saturday.