THE Greater Northern Tigers under-16 and under-18 teams had contrasting results against the Parramatta Eels in their third round Country Championships matches at Singleton’s Pirtek Park on Saturday.
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While the Steve Haylen-coached under-16s overcame a poor first half to win 28-14, the Peter Stevens-mentored under-18s gave up a 12-0 lead to lose 18-12.
He was disappointed for his side after such a great start.
“We led 12-0 early but they scored 30 seconds before half-time to make it 12-4,” Stevens said.
“We were never in it in the second period.
“That was on the back of four or five penalties in the play the ball.
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“We just never gave ourselves a chance.
“We might have played the ball in their territory 20 times in the second half.
“The boys did work their backsides off defensively though.
“They (Eels) are by far the best side we’ve played so far.
“To keep them to 18 was a credit to our defence.”
Stevens thought Narrabri’s Kalab McMillan-Basset was his best with a strong game in the middle of the park.
“Jack Todd also had a good game and Cooper Harris was solid, too.”
The Tigers have to beat North Coast to stay in contention for the Laurie Daley Cup.
Greater Northern under-18s: Trent Taylor (Dungowan), Mackenzie Shepherdson (Denman), Blair Maloney (Farrer), Kyle Johnson (Dungowan), Cooper Harris (Dungowan), Jhett Butler (Dungowan), Harrison Freeman (Dungowan), Brayden Reid (North Tamworth), Steven Dengate (Muswellbrook), Kalab McMillan-Bassett (Narrabri), Clay Frendin (Dungowan), Jackson Shade (Singleton), Jack Todd (Dungowan), Sam Wentworth (Dungowan), Blake Trees (Singleton) , Kobe Bone (North Tamworth), Daniel Kelly (North Tamworth), Hugh Collins (Aberdeen), Zak Turnbull (Gunnedah), Bailey Miller (Aberdeen)
Laurie Daley Cup
Round three – at Pirtek Park, Singleton
PARRAMATTA EELS 18 (Ngarimu Harte 2, Connor Griffiths tries; Drew Lloyd 3goals) d GREATER NORTHERN TIGERS 12 (Jhett Butler, Harris Cooper tries; Steven Dengate 2 goals)
