Goonellabah Workers Sports have taken the upper hand on day one of their clash with Murwillumbah at Oakes Oval.

The Goonellabah side won the toss and elected to bat on a good deck at Lismore's home of cricket.

The innings did not get off to a great start , with GWS losing in form batsman Sam McLean for 2, but younger brother Rory (25) and Kaleb Armstrong (32) managed to steady the innings early on.

There were a number of starts for batsmen throughout the innings, with the side eventually dismissed for 259 in the 61st over.

Kale Hare (48), Brady Toniello (42), Nathan Bezrouchko (31) and Damien Santin (32no) all contributed to a solid total.

Reece Gregor struck for the home side early, capturing 2/10 off 5 overs, with Murwillumbah 4/43 at the close of the first day's play.

Damien Santin took 1/8 off his 2 overs and the other wicket was claimed by Sam McLean who finished the day with 1/2 off 3 overs.

Murwillumbah trail by 216 runs with 6 wickets in hand and GWS will look to strike early on the second day of play next Saturday.