The Greater Northern Tigers' under-18 and under-16 sides have had contrasting fortunes in first-round matches against the North Coast Bulldogs at Aberdeen's McKinnon Oval on Saturday.
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The Brett Jarrett-coached under-16s led the Bulldogs 12-4 at halftime in the Andrew Johns Cup, but "let it slip" with a disappointing second half to lose 28-12.
The Darryl Rando-coached under-18s then came from behind in the Laurie Daley Cup to overcome a 12-8 halftime deficit and win 30-22, with a strong second half spearheaded by lock Sam Fechner and fullback Mitch Henderson.
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Both Fechner and Henderson crossed for try doubles, with Fechner earning the Tigers' match ball.
"Our second half was great," Rando said. "We could have been down 20-0 in the first half, though."
The Bulldogs had four tries disallowed.
"We were on the back foot in attack and defence," Rando said.
"If we can improve that, we will be a lot better. The boys did well, though, they hung in there. They got there [to make crucial plays]."
It came down to desire, enthusiasm and intensity - and the 18s surfed off the first-half effort to take control in the second half, with Fechner crossing early in the second half after a determined run.
That gave them a 14-12 lead and second-rower Luke Smith added to that when he charged over seven minutes later to make it 20-12.
The Bulldogs fought back, with second-rower Peter Conroy snaring his second try after the Bulldogs had enjoyed a protracted period of dominance through a string of penalties.
The Tigers roared back, too, with Fechner and Henderson both claiming their second try, to blow the score out to 30-16.
The Bulldogs scored a consolation try when Josh Power crossed for his second.
While Fechner and Henderson starred for the Tigers, Tigers props Mark Simon and Jake Clydesdale toiled hard in tight. Tigers Halfback Pichai Dixon also excelled, scoring a good try.
The Tiger 16s started well and led 12-4 at halftime after Logan Spinks and Gabriel Stafa had crossed for good tries.
But they wasted some good chances, with a couple of forward passes stuffing up certain tries.
Leading 12-4 at halftime, the Tigers made two glaring errors out wide in the second half that led to Bulldog tries.
The Bulldogs had levelled the game at 12-12 after just four minutes of the second half and were in front after 16 minutes when winger Kristin Doolan stepped his way through the Tigers' defence to give the visitors their first lead.
They never looked back, as prop Lachlan Mifsud strolled through some weak defence from close range and then winger Hudson Harmer finished off some good work to make it 28-12.
"That was a little bit disappointing," Jarrett said after the second-half demise. We let the game slip, shot ourselves in the foot."
The Tigers play Central Coast in second-round Andrew Johns and Laurie Daley Cup matches at Morrie Breen Oval, Wyong this Saturday.
The Greater Northern men's and women's sides play trials against Newcastle at the same ground on the same day.
Andrew Johns Cup:
Bulldogs 28 (Kristin Doolan 2, William Hogan, Bill Butlin, Lachlan Mifsud, Hudson Harmer tries, Nauren Willett 2 gls) d Tigers 12 (Logan Spinks, Gabriel Stafa tries, Ryan Witherdin 2 gls)
Laurie Daley Cup:
Tigers 30 (Sam Fechner 2, Mitch Henderson 2, Pichai Dixon, Luke Smith tries, Henderson 3 gls) d Bulldogs 22 (Josh Power 2, Peter Conroy 2, Ashay Tyerman 3 gls)
