THE Greater Northern Tigers' quest to claim the inaugural 2019 CRL Country Under-16 League Tag Championships ended in heartbreak on Saturday.
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After dominating the northern division at Glen Innes a week ago, the Kathryn McCulloch-coached local outfit - featuring Groups 4, 19 and 21 - fell 16-6 to the Greater Southern Stars at Morry Breen Oval, Wyong.
The Tigers - which included the likes of Merriwa's Mackenzie Blackadder; Muswellbrook's Heidi Richards, Tobey Stewart and Matilda Jones; Scone's Lara Hedley, Emily Watts and Tyla Brown; and Singleton's Caitlan Warren, Ruby Bennett and Jules Kirkpatrick - had numerous opportunities to post points.
But, unfortunately, poor handling and forward passes cruelled the talented youngsters at vital times.
The undefeated Stars virtually had the match wrapped up, when they led 16-0, mid-way through the second half.
However, Jones stepped past the defence to snare a well-deserved try in the dying stages.
Fellow Muswellbrook representative Stewart landed the conversion - the only one of the fixture - to reduce the margin 16-6.
Time then became the enemy for the gutsy Tigers' girls.
Despite the loss, it was a great effort by Greater Northern to reach the decider following strong victories over the Northern Rivers Titans, North Coast Bulldogs and Central Coast Roosters.
GREATER SOUTHERN STARS 16 defeated GREATER NORTHERN TIGERS 6 (Matilda Jones try; Tobey Stewart goal)