Eventual winners Group 4 beat the Group 19 side in their opening clash 24-nil at the Greater Northern Championships on Friday night in Tamworth.

Group 19 had 10 minutes to regain their composure before facing Group 21 but managed to topple the Hunter-based team 18-10 with Vicki Youman crossing for a double, Deb McGrady scoring one try and Amy Barraclough converting all three.

"We weren't up to their speed," Martin said of the loss to Group 4.

"It was just basic poor missed tags and that gave them 24 points.

"We probably let ourselves down a bit.

"At least in the second game they showed what they can do, it was pleasing to score 18 points."

The Group 19 team was picked after an "exceptional" possibles and probables trial last month.

After such a positive preparation, it was disheartening to be held to nil on the field but Martin praised the side's resilience to bounce back.

"It was disappointing after the way they played in the possibles and probables trial and then trained well," he said.

"It was character to the girls that we got beaten 24 points and to come back in the next game, which was only 10 minutes later, was positive for the side.

"Overall I thought our second game was pretty good but I thought, with our potential we should have played a bit better.

"But it was good to come away with a win."

Moving forward, Martin has no doubt Group 19 could threaten to de-throne Group 4 once again.

"Looking at the future for Group 19, there were a lot of girls that stood out and they are very young," he said.

"There were a lot in the trials that are very young too and were unlucky to miss out."

Three players from Group 19 - Glen Innes' Sarah Byrne, Armidale's Taneika Landsborough and Uralla's Amy Barraclough were chosen in the Greater Northern Tigers team.

Unsurprisingly, Shield winners Group 4 had eight selected while win-less Group 21 had five.

The Tigers will contest the Country Championships northern draw which will be held in Glen Innes on July 20.