The Mick Schmiedel and Aaron Watts-coached women's tackle and men's under-23s both lost their trial games against their Newcastle opponents while Muswellbrook's Steve Haylen and Tom Learoyd-Lahrs-mentored under-16s and under-18s lost their second round Andrew Johns and Laurie Daley Cup matches to the Central Coast Roosters.

Greater Northern Tigers area manager Scott Bone said the women's and men's under 23 sides both acquitted themselves well.

"Both coaches were pretty happy with their trials," he stated.

"The girls lost 12-8, three tries to two, but were down three tries in the first third.

"They played three 20-minute periods.

"The under-23 men were defeated 24-16, six tries to four, but played well."

The two teenage outfits both led their respective Cup matches early, however threw away their chances with poor handling.

The Haylen-coached under-16s must beat North Coast Bulldogs at the Port Macquarie Regional Stadium on Saturday, February 29 (1pm kick-off), to have any chance of making the semi-finals.

Learoyd-Lahrs' under-18s must also win as well as they are equal third with six other sides on two points behind the unbeaten Monaro Colts and North Coast Titans.

Then it's a trek to Lismore on March 7 to play the North Coast Bulldogs on a day when the under-23 men and women's tackle squads open their Country Championship quest with first round games against the North Coast Bulldogs.

Their second round fixtures are a week later at Aberdeen's McKinnon Oval against the Parramatta Eels.

It will be a huge day for the Tigers with all four rep sides playing crucial Country Championship matches while the Greater Northern under-15s play the Canterbury Bulldogs, too.