It was going to be a tight local derby but instead, the opening round LJ Hooker First Grade Cricket match between Pottsville and Terranora ended in a draw.
Bad weather prevented any play on the first day of the two-day game at Seabreeze Oval, Pottsville, while a late storm ended any hopes of a result on day two.
Terranora had been all out for 104 in 31 overs with Dave Russell, 23 and Lee Baker 24 top scoring, with Brent Murray and Billy Ellis each taking three wickets for Pottsville.
When lightning forced the end of play, Pottsville were 5/61 in reply in the 18th over, forcing the game to be called a draw (25 overs constitutes a game in the LJ Hooker rule book).
Pottsville captain Jamie Bennett said it was a disappointing start to the season.
“We were anxious for a game,” he said of the new-look Pottsville team.
“We’ve had a couple of players come back to the club, opening batsman Adam Rogers and opening bowler Nathan Wilson. It’s given us a bit more depth throughout the club.”
Bennett and his men will look for more luck when they travel to Alstonville this weekend for round two, while Terranora are on the road again, this time taking on Cudgen at Reg Dalton Oval.
The LJ Hooker First Division is down to ten teams this year ,with two Tweed teams, Murwillumbah and Colts not fielding in the top grade.
