Another forfeit by the embattled Mullumbimby-Brunswick cricket team has gifted Lennox Head the seven points they need to go to the top of the 2017–18 Coastal League.
The second grade Mullum side hasn’t played a game for the last few weeks and is struggling for numbers.
The club has until before the December 2 round to let the governing committee know if it will withdraw or remain in the competition this season.
The forfeit win for Ballina put them on top of the 2017–18 Coastal League table with 40 points.
A move aided by Byron Bay’s first loss for the season leaves them in second place on the table with 36 points.
Byron travelled to Kingsford Smith South in Ballina to take on Tintenbar-East Ballina and, after losing the toss, were sent in to bat.
A score of 126 of 39 overs wasn’t enough to trouble anyone but the openers for Tintenbar.
B Crawford helped scuttle the Byron scorers with 3/21 off six overs, and J Barnwell chimed in with 2/24 off five overs.
In reply Tintenbar reached 130 without loss in 20 overs.
The unbroken opening stand of M Gariel (50no) and M Newstead (78no) was too strong for the Byron bowlers.
Tintenbar-East Ballina are in fourth spot on the ladder behind Terranora.
Both Byron and Tintenbar have a game in hand.
In third grade the in-form Bangalow side maintained their top spot on the ladder with another strong win, comfortably beating Byron Bay.
Byron batted first at Bangalow and were rolled for 131.
After losing their openers cheaply T Goodhind (60) and G Trevena (39) put on a 78 run stand.
But the team then slumped from 3/90 to all out for 131.
S Singh was the best of the Bangalow bowlers with 3/31 off eight overs.
The Bangalow openers replied in style notching up a 125-run stand before Singh was caught out on 52.
R Jacob carried his bat and had scored 69 when Bangalow reached their target in 17 overs.