Matt Barlow
01 February 2026, 4:15 AM
Goonellabah's Ben Cooper looks for more runs at Oakes Oval. Photo: Matt BarlowGoonellabah have kept their Minor Premiership hopes alive with a big win over Terranora Lakes at Oakes Oval on Saturday.
The visitors won the toss and elected to bat in warm conditions in Lismore, and they got off to a solid start.
Reece Gregor struck first, taking the wicket of opener and captain Matt Corney for 10, to have Terranora 1/24.
The wickets continued at a steady rate, with Alec Watson picking up 3/24 off 8 overs, Ben Cooper 2/20 off 7 overs, but the best of the bowlers was Nathan Bezrouchko, with 3/14 off 4.5 overs.
Goonellabah eventually dismissing Terranora Lakes for 110 in the 35th over.
The home side then got off to a flyer, with Jack Cooper opening with 45 off 22 balls before being caught, brother Ben Cooper added 29 (not out) off just 17 balls, and Damien Santin hit the last two balls of the innings for a six and a four to bring up the win in the 18th over.
Goonellabah past the total just 4 wickets down.
The six-wicket victory in just 17.2 overs has pushed the Goonellabah quotient to 1.390, marginally behind league leaders Tweed Banora Colts.
Goonellabah will head to Casino next Saturday to take on the Cavaliers at Oval 2, with just 5 rounds remaining before finals.
In the other local fixture, Marist Brothers posted a handy total, but it wasn't enough to take the victory against league leaders Tweed Banora.
Tweed won the toss and elected to bowl, with the Brothers top order getting off to a solid start.
Opener Matt Cleaver had 20, Cooper Williams struck the ball well for 42 and Joe Parsons starred with 84 not out off just 59 balls, which included 8 fours and 3 sixes.
Marist Brothers reached a total of 9/222 in their allotted 40 overs.
Their bowlers then got off to a good start, having Tweed Banora 3/50, before a match-winning innings from Thomas Byrnes of 122 not out off just 77 balls and an unbeaten 54 from Jock Vivers, steered the hosts to victory, passing the Brothers total 4 wickets down in the 33rd over.
Brothers will host Tintenbar East Ballina next Saturday at Oakes Oval in a twilight match, starting at 4:00pm. The game will be a part of a club Supporters Day, which includes a player meet and greet, fun games, a tour of Oakes Oval and a free sausage sizzle.