Greater Northern Tigers women: 26-0 loss to the Newcastle Maitland Knights in Cessnock

The Mick Schmiedel-coached Tigers won their first two matches of the championships last year, before the COVID-19 pandemic ended the competition prematurely.

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On Saturday the Tigers played nothing like their 2020 form, producing a disjointed effort.

"Disappointed, upset - more for the girls, though," Schmiedel said. "They tried their hearts out but they didn't get on the board."

The Tigers lacked cohesion and struggled to make ground against a determined and good Knights side.

"They were very good," Schmiedel said of the opposition.

"Everything fell into place for them. They are the best side we've played over the three years of the championships.

"It was disappointing for us. We were nowhere near how we played last year, that was the disappointing thing. We played as individuals.

"The worst thing is now, realistically, we cannot make the semis. We've got too many points to pull back, even if we were to win next Saturday.

"But we will carry the same 18 next week. Nautica Eather (the 18th player) will get a run, though".

Centre Shae Pemberton, second-rowers Brooke O'Halloran and Brooke Davis, prop Jess Baker and hooker Sarah Stewart worked hard in defence and attack for the Tigers.

One shining light for the Tigers, Schmiedel said, was the "youth" of the team.

"We've got some great young girls like Lucy (Plowman), Shae Blackadder, Nautica (Eather), Anastasia (Martin) and Tanika (Darcy)," he said.

"If we keep them as a core group for building, we will be healthy."

KNIGHTS 26 (Taylah Gray 2, Nicole Stanfield, Robyn Draper, Rhianna Cipta tries; Ashlee Harvey 3 con) d TIGERS 0.

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