Goonellabah Workers Sport Cricket Club are Premiers of the Northern Rivers Cricket League First Grade competition to remain the benchmark in local cricket.

The 49-run victory over Minor Premiers Marist Brothers in Casino yesterday afternoon, follows Goonellabah Workers Sports Cricket Club being Joint Premiers with Marist Brothers last season and Premiers in 2019.

"It was a great win, a great final was played and both teams didn’t let up right to the end," said Alec Watson, Goonellabah Workers Sports Cricket Club President.

Marist Brothers had lost only once all season - in their last meeting with Goonellabah Workers Sports Cricket Club. After winning the toss and electing to bat, Goonellabah Workers Sport employed similar tactics.

"We wanted to create a defendable score," said Goonellabah Workers Sports secretary Brad Walker.

"Josh Clark and Kale Hare started steadily before both fell at 17. Andrew Kemmis and Riley Gregor then put on a valuable 62 before Riley (29) fell just on drinks with the score 3-79. Kemmo then batted through the innings before falling for a masterful 73.

"Damien Santin(18) and Alex Battese (20) then added valuable middle order runs to get us to a very competitive 191."

Battese hit two sixes and Santin one as they went after the Brothers' bowling to get the side to a defendable total. However Brothers bowled them out in the 39th over with Jordy Salked taking three wickets for 37 runs off seven overs, Michael McKendry taking two wickets for 33 off five overs, and the impressive Owen Bensley 2/23 off eight overs. Jake Muscat also bowled superbly, taking one wicket for 29 runs off eight overs. Spinners Henry Harris (1/39 off seven overs) and Dan Hamshaw (1/27 off four overs) were the other wicket takers.

Brothers needed a platform to set themselves up for a run chase but Goonellabah Workers Sports' opening bowlers Michael German (3/24 off eight overs) and Reece Gregor (0/6 off four overs) and first change bowler Alex Battese, who took two two wickets in two overs, ripped out the Brothers' top order to leave them 3/34, 4/53 and 5/71.

"The bowling innings started well with German getting Henry Harris with a good ball to catch the edge. Then when he got the big wickets of Luke Collings and Matt Cleaver we started to believe," said Watson.

"Then Brothers' Mal Rose (41 runs in 41 balls) held firm for a while while wickets fell around him thanks to Alex Battese getting Zayd Thomas and Dan Hamshaw with two in two overs. Then Robbo (Brad Robertson) got the big wicket of Mal Rose with a good catch by Damo (Damien Santin). Nick Battese bowled four crucial economical overs and Owen Bensley got the big wicket of Brothers' captain Luke Hamshaw who looked like he was on his way to winning the game for them with Kemmo holding on to a good grab."

Hamshaw had hit 34 in 39 balls and shared the side's biggest partnership of 38 with Tyson Priestly.

"Robbo got Priestly and as he finished the game with the final three wickets," said Watson.

"It was a great team performance by the boys, batted well, bowled well and fielded well."

Brothers were bowled out for 142 in the 33rd over, giving Goonellabah Workers Sports Cricket Club the Premiership.

Watson praised the opponents, who had been the best side in First Grade all season.

"Congratulations to Brothers on a great year they had. They were the benchmark all year and we knew we needed to be on our game to win it. 

"It’s a great feeling especially for a few of the boys winning their maiden grand final. Hopefully more to come."

The players celebrated back at the sports club before moving onto the Goonellabah Tavern.

Walker confirmed that the club will be applying to join Far North Coast Cricket Council's L J Hooker League next season .