GREATER Northern Tigers men’s and women’s teams suffered contrasting results in first round CRL Country Championship matches in Lismore on Saturday.
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The Tigers’ league tag side, featuring Scone’s Sofie Casson and Muswellbrook’s Shae Pemberton, beat Northern Rivers 22-0 in a brilliant start to their campaign but the under-23 outfit lost its opening game 26-14 to bow out of the annual titles.
Damien Allan, who filled in for women’s coach Mick Schmiedel, was delighted with Greater Northern’s victory.
“Their defence was awesome,” he said.
“We probably defended 60 to 70 per cent of the game, too.
“The last 10 minutes was phenomenal.
“They all worked so hard for each other, it was a real good team effort.
“We now play Newcastle or Central Coast next weekend.”
While the defensive effort was impressive and keeping the home side to nil outstanding, the Tigers also posted four smart tries, two of them by Kootingal star Jessica Baker.
The Rooster back scored one long-range four-pointer after chasing down a long kick and reaping the rewards for her concerted effort.
Casson, voted players’ player, also bagged a long-range try, the halfback combining brilliantly with five-eighth and goalkicker Amy Barraclough.
While they excelled, the Peter Stevens-coached under-23s – boasting Muswellbrook’s Bailey Taylor, Dylan Thorne, Jordan Mulherin, Brady Benkovic, Bailey Wooden; Singleton’s Will Nieuwenhuise, James Bradley; Aberdeen’s Hamish Wolfgang, Samuel Fitzsimmons, Cameron French; and Scone’s Timothy Bridge and Jarrod Wicks – were unlucky in a 12-point loss.
“We were in it for a long way,” he said.
“They (Northern Rivers) scored just before half-time; that hurt a lot.
“But, we did give ourselves a chance and stayed in the dogfight until the final minutes.
“We created some good opportunities, however just came up with a few little errors.”
He said Muswellbrook prop Thorne was outstanding while Brett Wright, the Tigers players’ player, also excelled.
Mitch Doring, Scone’s Bridge and Zach Leonard, who scored two tries, stood out as well.
“It was disappointing to lose but I was very happy with their effort, especially after seeing some of them come off last year’s hiding,” Stevens said.
