The women beat Northern Rivers 22-nil in a brilliant start to their championship campaign but the men lost their opening game 26-14 to bow out of the annual titles.

Damien Allan was filling in for women’s coach Mick Schmiedel and was delighted with the Tigers’ victory.

“Their defence was awesome,” Allan 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, the Tigers also scored four good tries. Two were scored by Kootingal’s Jessica Baker while Scone’s Sofie Casson scored a long range try after the halfback combined brilliantly with Amy Barraclough.

While the women excelled, the Peter Stevens-coached Tigers under 23 men’s side were unlucky in a 12-point loss.

“We were in it for a long way,” Stevens 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 but just came up with a few little errors.”

He said Muswellbrook’s Dylan Thorne was outstanding along with Brett Wright – the Tigers’ player’s player. Mitch Doring, Tim Bridge and Zack Leonard, who scored two tries, also excelled.

“It was disappointing to lose but I was very happy with their effort especially after seeing some of them come of last year’s hiding,” Stevens said.

COUNTRY RUGBY LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Oakes Oval, Lismore

LADIES LEAGUE TAG: GREATER NORTHERN TIGERS 22 (Jessica Baker 2, Sofie Casson, Danya Porter tries, Amy Barraclough 3gls) d NORTHERN RIVERS 0.

UNDER 23 MEN: NORTHERN RIVERS 26 (Joseph Besgrove 3, Michael Dwane 2 tries, Ben O’Gorman 3gls) d GREATER NORTHERN TIGERS 14 (Zach Leonard 2, Jordan Mulherin tries, William Nieuwenhuise gl).