Marist Brothers advance to LJ Hooker League cricket final

They advanced to the final after a convincing win over the Casino RSM Cavaliers at Oakes Oval, Lismore.

They needed just 15 runs to win in the second innings after bowling the Cavaliers out for 47 and 158 when they enforced the follow on.

Brothers won the toss and scored 191 with top order batsman Pat Martin (59) playing a vital innings.

The win was sealed at 1-18 in the second innings.

It will be the first time Brothers have played in a two-day final since 2010.

"We've been really consistent this year and hopefully we can take that final step," captain Brendan Mitchell said.

"It's not going to be easy, but we have a good opportunity next week.

"It's been a while between drinks for the club and everyone is really excited."

All-rounder Kaleb Auld finished the game with eight wickets.

Brothers will host Cudgen in the decider on March 23-24.

Cudgen (6-182) advanced from third spot after a four-wicket win over Goonellabah Workers Sports (179).

GWS were bowled out for 179 on Saturday.

A REJUVENATED Marist Brothers side will take plenty of confidence into the Far North Coast LJ Hooker League semi-finals this weekend.

Brothers leapfrogged cross-town rivals Goonellabah Workers Sports into first place snatching the minor premiership after an outright win over Tintenbar-East Ballina in the final round.

The Brethren will host the Casino RSM Cavaliers in the two-day semi-final at Oakes Oval on March 16-17.

Club president Matt Cleaver said the return of key juniors and English import Connor Lord had boosted the side this season.

Lord is the leading wicket taker having claimed 23 scalps while experienced skipper Brendan Mitchell has 20 to his name.

All-rounders Kaleb Auld, Jeremy Perkins and Zayd Thomas are all back in the fold this season.

"We haven't won it since the late 90s, so everyone is really excited," Cleaver said.

"We realised we needed to bring in another experienced fast bowler if we wanted to win the competition.

"We put an ad out and that's how Connor landed here from the north of England."

Cleaver said he was impressed by Joe Parsons and Cooper Williams, both can still play in the junior competition.

Lord and Mitchell are a formidable combination while spinner Tom Parsons has shown he can be a match-winner.

Brothers top order can also pile on the runs in a short period of time.

"We'll have everyone available and there might be some selection headaches around that middle order," Cleaver said.

"We like to play attacking cricket and that's the way we've been all season."

The Cavaliers are no easy beats and defeated Brothers in the second round of the competition.

Former Brothers batsmen Damien Vidler scored a century in that game and was the difference between the sides.

Vidler is the second-highest run-scorer in the competition and has a young crop alongside him at Casino.

The winner will take on Goonellabah Workers Sports or Cudgen in the final.

However, Cleaver said they were focused on the job at hand against Casino.

"They have some class bowlers and they can do enough with the bat to trouble anyone," he said.

"Cudgen does a really good job at bringing their juniors through and we've seen the success the Lismore boys have had.

"They probably pushed us along a little because we want to get to that level. Anyone could win it from here.