GREATER Northern Tiger Under 16 and 18 teams had blowout wins over Central Coast Centurions in second round CRL Junior Country Championship matches at Scone Park on Saturday.
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The Gary Jones-coached Tiger 16s won 46-4 after leading 26-4 at halftime while the Peter Stevens-coached Tiger 18s went even better, winning 52-12 after leading 26-nil at halftime.
“I was very happy with that,” Stevens said.
“We led 26-nil at half -time.
“The confidence was back this week and they were patient.
“They had control in attack and defence.
“They scored some good tries at the end of good sets.”
The Tiger 18s scored 10 tries, with Alex Cocking crossing for a pair in a pack where Lewis Hamilton, skipper James Fisk and Elijah Rasiga all scored.
Five-eighth James Bradley was outstanding and earned his players’ player award but Rasiga, hooker Ryan Ingram, fullback Bailey Taylor and centre Lachlan Duwakin all excelled.
“We didn’t have a bad player,” Stevens added.
Earlier, the Tiger 16s started well and were never headed, running out to a 26-4 half time lead for what became a 42-point win.
“We started well and never looked like getting beaten,” Jones said.
“We had the game wrapped up at half-time and kicked on well from there.”
He said lock and captain Max Altus, who crossed for two of the nine tries, was outstanding.
“Max was very dominant in the middle,” he said.
“Alek Hall also had a strong game and Lachlan Chard, our five-eighth from Glen Innes, did some good things too.”
He said Jordy Allan also filled in well at halfback and hooker, sparking the side at times.
“We’ve just got to play well next week to make the semi-finals.
“East beating Newcastle today has meant it could come down to for and against if we don’t beat Newcastle.
“We have to play well anyway.”
The Tigers had one injury concern, with Zac Parker re-injuring a shoulder injury he had been carrying.
It might mean a rest for the young forward, with Max Greacen sitting out Saturday’s game after suffering injury in the opening round at Armidale.
Tyler Campbell (Singleton) might also play some good minutes this Saturday too.
The Tiger Under 16s and 18s now play Newcastle Rebels in Cessnock this Saturday in third-round Country Championships matches.
