If you desire speed, skill and strength then it's time to pay a visit to watch Far North Coast Hockey men's and women's Grade A divisions at Goonellabah, Ballina and Casino./

It was a smorgasbord of speed, skill, accurate passing and strong possession in the match between Star and East Lismore at Goonellabah today. The teams had new faces courtesy of the Queensland Border shutdown.

Two matches off as NRRRL hit by border closure

Representative players Reece Gaddes and Bradley Hughes fielded for Star and NSW Under-21 representative Cooper Stahl added to East Lismore’s line up. All three have been playing at a much higher level and that showed in this match. Four minutes into the match and Brad Hughes made his intentions clear when he scored for Star with a solid field goal. Easts rallied thereafter with Jacob Franey and Wynand Volschenk integral in that section of play. Against the run of play at the time, Star converted a penalty corner via Ryan McGuiness who made no mistake. Star lost Richie Wightman in the first quarter with a hamstring injury and he was looking fit and dangerous. It was 2-0 to Star at the end of the first quarter, but four minutes into the second quarter Jonas Clark lifted Easts spirits when he got a solid touch on a ball after good lead up to narrow the margin. It was 2-1 at halftime and things were even.

Star were on fire at the start of the second half and Easts did well to weather an onslaught of attack. Eight minutes into the half, Jacob Franey scored with the third shot of an East’s penalty corner to tie things up. With just six minutes to go in the third quarter and Brad Hughes backsticked a shot and converted a penalty corner to give Star the lead.

Going into the final quarter with 13 minutes to go, Easts Chris Clark scored to again tie things up. Both sides had their chance to go ahead but solid defence and great goalkeeping kept the scores level.

In the final minute, the Star's Matt Frost found some space with a solid shot from the top of the circle to give Star the points.

Star's Matt Frost scored the deciding goal in a thriller against East Lismore. Photo: Braiden Davis

All players were outstanding, but Brad Hughes, Reece Gaddes and Ryan McGuiness stood out for Star, with Cooper Stahl, Nick Layton and Scott Gallagher the best for East Lismore.

In the second A Grade Men's match, Ballina easily accounted for Ballina R 11-1.

A Grade Men's Points score: Ballina 9, Star 7, East Lismore 4, Ballina R 0

Coraki had their first win of the season defeating Star 3-2 and Ballina accounted for East Lismore 4-0 in the women’ s A Grade.

Star led early when Maya McGrath scored with a deflection that went high into the net. Coraki's Jade Gray responded and scored soon after and it was 1-1 at halftime.

Star’s Maya McGrath (left) with possession of the ball as Coraki’s Georgia Brown tries to gain possession. Photo: Shez Napper

In the second section Coraki went to the lead through Nella Bradford. Annalyce Bodley back sticked a shot and scored for Star to tie things up and the fourth and final quarter Olivia Osborne gave Coraki the win with a goal from the second phase of a penalty corner conversion.

Anne-Maree Cheffins in goal for Coraki, Georgia Brown and Denny Lee Gray were Coraki’s best. Kate Marshall, Maya McGrath and Alana Albertini stood out for Star.

Easts were gallant in the loss to Ballina and showed some courage and determination.

Ballina’s Cory Hardy taking a shot on goal from a Penalty Corner as Easts defend in the circle. Photo: Shez Napper

Ballina were polished and methodical and showed why they are a premiership threat. Abby Allsop opened the scoring 10 minutes in and then Corinna Busse converted a penalty stroke just before halftime to make it 2-0 at the break. There was no score in the third quarter.

Cori Hardy made it three goals up for the visitors with 13 minutes left on the clock and Jennifer Hollier scored the final goal near full time.

Hardy, Hollier and Busse were Ballina's best whilst Emily Hoskins, goalkeeper Kylie Quinlan, Emma Stewart and Karen Eakin stood out for Easts.

Women's A Grade Round 4 results: Star 2 Coraki 3, East Lismore 0 Ballina 4, Star 0 Ballina 0, East Lismore 0 Coraki 6

A Grade Women's Points score: Star 10, Coraki 7, Ballina 1 Est Lismore 1