FROWNS quickly turned to smiles on the faces of Terranora Lakes cricket players on Saturday, as the side recovered from a shaky start to grab first-innings points from Alstonville at Bilambil.

The home side has already eclipsed Alstonville's total of 106 by 11 runs, and with the loss of just two wickets (2-117).

When Alstonville was 2-52 and a couple of catches had hit the ground, Terranora captain Dave Parkes thought his side could be in for a long, hard day in the field.

It was hot, and the wicket was a pristine batting track, but then Alstonville started throwing wickets away.

Josh Hoare (4-28) and Michael Gardner (3-16) bowled the perfect line and length, and the wickets tumbled.

Suddenly things were looking brighter for Terranora and Alstonville was all out for 106 runs after 36 overs and there were still plenty of hours of cricket to play.

Terranora openers Dave Russell (30no) and Andrew Ridgewell (45) combined for a 73-run partnership, then Hoare added 23 and Terranora had the first innings points for the loss of just two wickets.

With Russell and Hoare not out, Terranora has a prime opportunity to take outright victory when play resumes next week.

"When they were 2-52 after the first half an hour, and we'd had a couple of bad dropped catches, including one from myself, I thought, 'oh no'," Parkes said.

"But the bowlers came back and bowled really well, with a good line and length, and we had them all out for 106.

"Then our batsmen came out, and led by Dave Russell again, they got the score and it ended up a perfect day for us in the end.

"After that first half an hour we were a bit down on ourselves, but there were smiles all round at the end of the day."

Parkes said outright victory was on the agenda next Saturday.

"We've already got the first innings, so will definitely give it a go."

Just three players remain from Terranora's team from last season, and Parkes said the team was learning more about each other as the weeks progressed.

"We're working each other out, and for me as captain, I am still working out where to put guys, and when to bowl them, or not to bowl them, but we are coming together as a side," he said.