The two squads, Cubs and Tigers, had two games each, playing the North Coast and Northern Rivers academy sides to complete what was a four-month program to improve the skills of young players aged 15,16 and 17.

The GNA Cubs won their two games 24-4 and 32-8 and the Tigers did the same with 24-nil and 28-8 wins.

GNA coach Matt Kenny said the wins were “great ways to finish the program”.

“They have put in a lot of hard work,”  Kenny said.

“They’ve been coming here (to Tamworth) since October.”

GNA operations manager, Scott Bone, said the Cubs had struggled early but blossomed late for a good win over Northern Rivers.

Hayden Loughrey was one of their best.

Then the Tigers were “a little flat” in their success against Northern Rivers as the main curtain-raiser to the Knights and Raiders.

“They played with good shape though and scored eight tries to two.

“It was a really good finish for them all. The improvement in the boys has been immense.”