THE Greater Northern Tigers under-16 and under-18 sides swept to impressive wins in second round Country Championships matches against the Newcastle Knights at Scone Park on Saturday.
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The Steve Haylen-coached 16s were first to go – and claimed their Andrew Johns Cup match 40-10.
Then the Peter Stevens-mentored 18s started well, leading 12-0l before winning their Laurie Daley Cup match 18-16.
In the early showdown, Inverell centre Campbell Watchirs starred, crossing for three impressive tries and securing the team’s players’ player award.
Prop Mark Simon and hooker Sam Fechner both scored twice while Jordan Leota came off the bench to also pick up a good try.
“I was very, very happy with the boys,” Haylen said.
“It was a massive improvement from last week (win over Central Coast).
“Our ball security was amazing.
“We had an 83 per cent completion rate. Had just three incomplete sets and gave away six penalties.
“Everything went well.
“The boys talked about what they had to do and then went out and did it.
“I’m tickled pink.”
They now play Parramatta at Pirtek Park, Singleton, in a third round clash.
The Greater Northern under-18s bounced back from their loss to the Central Coast Roosters with a two-point victory over the Knights that Stevens described as a “massive gutsy effort”.
“It’s the first time in a while we’ve beaten the Knights,” he said.
“It took a huge gutsy effort, defensively, to win.
“The attitude and effort was outstanding.”
He thought Narrabri prop Kalab McMillan was excellent and played the whole first half without a break.
Hooker Clay Frendin and centre Cooper Harris also earned his plaudits while Brayden Reid won the players’ player award.
Denman’s Mackenzie Shepherdson grabbed a four-pointer while Muswellbrook’s Steven Dengate landed three goals.
Andrew Johns Cup Country Championships
Round 2 – Scone Park – Saturday
GREATER NORTHERN TIGERS 40 (Campbell Watchirs 3, Mark Simon 2, Sam Fechner 2, Jordan Leota tries; Daltyn McCartney 4 goals) d NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS 10 (Riley Cullen, Tobias Hatcher tries; Liam Browne goal)
Laurie Daley Cup Country Championships
Round 2 – Scone Park – Saturday
GREATER NORTHERN TIGERS 18 (Mackenzie Shepherdson, Brayden Reid, Sam Wentworth tries; Steven Dengate 3goals) d NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS 16 (Cohan Geelan 2, Sam Robinson, Dean Langdon tries)
