BOTH of Illawarra Steelers' reigning NSWRL premiers started their title defence in winning fashion on Saturday.
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Daniel Lacey's Tarsha Gale (under 18 women) team ran riot against Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval, winning 44-6.
First half doubles from Teagan Berry and Viena Tinao helped the Steelers jump out to a 24-nil lead at the break,.
Then in the second half, Berry completed her hat-trick, while Teagan Williams (two) and Amy Tietjens also crossed for four-pointers, as the scarlett and white ran out 38-point winners - with Vale adding six conversions.
In the win, Lacey's side were led by Stingrays' Berry, Madi Singleton, Teagan Williams, Riley Scott, Alex Wallace and Rhiannon Tungai and Bomaderry's Jordyn Preston.
The other reigning premier to claim victory on Saturday was Ben Linde's SG Ball (under 18 men) side - who smashed North Sydney 58-6 at Macquarie University Sports Field.
The Steelers led 22-nil at the break - thanks to tries to Talatau Amone, Brendon Morkos, Benjamin Lavender and Tyrone Roberts.
They then added six four-pointers in the second stanza, through Tyson Duff, Lavenderm Phoenix Vetenibua-Finnerty, William Webb, Amone and Roberts - who landed nine kicks - to seal the 52-point triumph.
Group Seven products in action for Linde's side in round two were Albion Park-Oak Flats' Cooper Tunbridge and Josh Coric, Warilla-Lake South's Tyrone Roberts, Jamberoo's Tyson Duff, Stingrays' Trey Barlow, Milton-Ulladulla's Riley Wooden and Kiama's William Webb.
Unfortunately, Jono Dallas' Harold Matthews (under 16 men) couldn't make it three wins from as many matches on Saturday, going down 18-10 to the Bears.
In the loss, James Walsh and Ethan Cliff scored for Dallas' side - with Kynan Clough adding one conversion.
Gerringong's Ashton Ward, Hamish Stewart, Jack Quine, Dylan Egan, Taj Ford and Kane Graham, Stingrays' Noah Guyatt, Shellharbour's James Walsh and Milton-Ulladulla's Sam Colgate were all Group Seven juniors on show for Dallas side.
In round three, two of the three Steelers team will play at the Collegians Sporting Complex, starting with the Tarsha Gale clash against the Knights at 12pm, before the Harold Matthews take on Newcastle from 1.30pm - with the SG Ball side having the bye.