The Greater Northern Tigers have started their Country Championship campaign with a six-try success against the Northern Rivers Titans at Crozier Oval in Lismore.
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The Mick Schmiedel-coached Tigers won 34-4 on in the tackle clash on Saturday.
It also improved on last year's result when they beat the Titans by 12 points in Armidale but missed a semi-final spot on for and against after a loss and a win.
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"That was also a good result for the for and against," Schmiedel said. "Our tryline defence was very good too. [We] held them out and they had some big boppers too."
The Tigers showed their intent early too when Tanika Darcy finished off a great passing raid, featuring half a dozen of the Tigers, to score in the corner after just over three minutes.
The Tigers extended their lead when outstanding lock Kate Brown sliced back across the defensive line for the first of her two tries.
At one stage the Tigers led 18-0 but then lapsed for 10 minutes, with some simple errors, to invite the Titans back in.
The Titans scored through Taylah Rotumah but it was their only joy as the Tigers tightened and improved their handling in the second half, crossing for three more tries.
Schmiedel said Kate Brown was exceptional, while captain Amy Barraclough received a deserving break late in the game after leading the side well.
"The whole front-row did well," he said. "Amelia (Tunamena), Gaynor (Blackadder) and Sarah (Stewart) were great. We didn't have a bad performer.
"Jess Baker did well off the bench too. I'm extremely happy with them."
The Tigers play Greater Sydney Western at Aberdeen on Saturday.
GREATER NORTHERN TIGERS 34 (Tanika Darcy 2, Kate Brown 2, Sarah Stewart, Shai Blackadder tries; Amy Barraclough 5 gls) d NORTHERN RIVERS TITANS 4 (Taylah Rotumah try)
