The Tiger under-18s claimed a courageous final-round win over the Parramatta Eels at McKinnon Field - their third win from five matches (they also had a draw) - but still face the prospect of missing out on berth in the Laurie Daley Cup semi-finals.

The Tigers beat a bigger Parramatta Eels 24-18 in a tough game but their dressing shed was a sombre place post-match.

Tigers coach Tom Learoyd-Lahrs was devastated for his young side. "Mathematically we can still make it," he said. "But we need Parramatta to beat the Northern River Titans next week."

Learoyd-Lahrs rued missed chances for his side to improve their for-and-against percentage, which will most likely determine the semi-finalists.

He said: "I believe one of the two sides we played the last two weeks will win it (the Tigers drew 24-24 with the Titans in the previous round).

"It's a tough game. Sometimes you don't get what you deserve," he added.

Learoyd-Lahrs believes that his side has not "hit their straps yet".

Meanwhile, the Tiger women struck late against GSR Wests Tigers to keep their Country Championships hopes alive.

The Mick Schmiedel-coached side won 10-8 in a see-sawing game.

The Tigers led 6-0 at half-time after a great try from fullback Hannah Rando.

GSR Wests Tigers hit back early in the second half when five-eighth and captain Nikki Perugini crossed. They then took the lead when Perugini scored again.

With just over two minutes remaining from full-time, Greater Northern hooker Sarah Stewart threw herself at the defence and was able to offload to her skipper, Amy Barraclough, who dived over for the winning try.

"We did it the hard way," Schmiedel said.

He added: "Today they were a little overawed and a bit disjointed in attack but the win will be a great confidence boost for them to make the semis."

Greater Northern's under-23 side completed their disappointing Country Championships campaign with a second successive loss.

After losing to the Northern Rivers Titans 34-4 last week, the Aaron Watts-coached Tigers tumbled to a 26-6 loss to the GSR Wests Tigers.

Greater Northern trailed 14-0 at half-time but then lifted and an trailed 14-6 early in the second half when centre Hamish Wolfgang (Aberdeen) dived over and Steven McGrady's converted from the sideline.

However the Tigers roar was short-lived, another disappointment for their coach.

"I really thought we were going to win when Hamish scored," Watts said. "But the next set we made a simple mistake and that was that."

The Tigers' under-16 outfit finished their Andrew Johns Cup campaign like they started it, when thrashed 42-4 by Parramatta.

The Tigers trailed 8-4 at half-time. "The wheels fell off in the second half," said Tigers assistant coach Brad McManus.

The Tigers' under-15 side lost 24-16 to Canterbury in a trial. The Tigers had been down five tries to one.

Greater Northern pathways manager Peter Stevens said the under-15s "struggled early against the size of the Bulldogs".

"Every individual played well, they've all improved," he added.

UNDER-15 TRIAL:

CANTERBURY BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS 24 def GNT PUPS TO BULLDOGS 16.

ANDREW JOHNS CUP:

PARRAMATTA 42 (Siaosi Kaliti 3, Blaize Talagi, Jacob John, Joshua Coinakis, Joshua Bridgett, Takasina Hu'ihahau tries, Talagi 3, Hu'Hihahau 2 gls) d GREATER NORTHERN TIGERS 4 (Jake Clydesdale try)

LAURIE DALEY CUP:

GREATER NORTHERN TIGERS 24 (Kobe Bone, Jack Todd, Mark Simon, Brayden Reid tries, Mitch Henderson 4 gls) d PARRAMATTA 18 (Jordan Wolfgramm, Samuel Tuitupou, Desmond Raukete tries, Francis Faaofo 3 gls)

WOMEN'S COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

GREATER NORTHERN TIGERS 10 (Hanna Rando, Amy Barraclough tries, Barraclough gl) d GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 8 (Nikki Pereguini 2 tries)

UNDER-23 COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS:

GSR WESTS TIGERS 26 (Adam Shipley, Daniel Muir, Hosea Leuea, Adam Campbell, Jye Ellul tries, Adam Campbell 3gls) d GREATER NORTHERN TIGERS 6 (Hamish Wolfgang try, Steve McGrady gl)