Goonellabah Workers Sports will head to Oakes Oval on Saturday full of confidence when they take on the Casino Cavaliers.

It will be the first match of the season on the premier ground in the region, and the GWS side will be out to keep their lead at the top of the LJ Hooker League table.

Goonellabah sit 3 points ahead of Cudgen and Marist Brothers, with Tweed Banora, Alstonville and Tintenbar East Ballina all sitting another 3 points back on a congested ladder.

Reece Gregor returned to the side last week and took 3/48 with the ball against Terranora Lakes before storms forced play to be abandoned.

Former Marist Brothers batsman Kevin Warid had his best innings for his new side last week prior to the rain, with 32 off just 21 balls.

The Casino side will not be an easy target for GWS and it should be a tight affair.

Marist Brothers will head east to take on Tintenbar East Ballina at Kingsford Smith South on Saturday.

Brothers have added youngster Blake Collings to the bowling attack, taking to the field with father Luke, a Marist Brothers veteran.

Blake will join other young stars in Joe Parsons, Cooper Williams and Tom Molloy in a side that possesses a good mix of youth and "experience".

The Tintenbar side will see a unique achievement when they step out onto the pitch on Saturday, with three Bull brothers playing together in the top grade for the first time.

Eldest brother Joe will join younger brothers Pierce and Harry in the side after returning from overseas.

Both matches will start at 1:00pm