After a 42-16 loss to Western to start the tournament last week, the under 18s put in a much improved performance to take a 34-16 victory over the Panthers.

Coach James Smart was impressed with the turnaround.

"They were really good," Smart said.

"I thought their energy was a lot better, they seemed really flat going into the game in round one but the boys seemed completely different this time around.

"We held onto the ball a little bit better early on but it was more defensively - we looked excited to be there."

The Bulls led 24-4 at half-time before a tighter second half.

Brothers playmaker Wilson Hamblin and Young lock Mitch Prest were two of the strongest performers, after also showing good signs against the Rams.

Ned Cooper also crossed for a double.

Smart is still looking for improvement before coming up against GSR Tigers on Sunday.

"It is only a short season so I'm sure we will keep improving every week, but we know there is still plenty left in us," he said.

"Even in the first half when we were going really well there was a time when we made three errors coming out of our own end but it is a big improvement on last week."

The Tigers also hit back from a loss to start the season with a tight win over Illawarra South Coast.

However Riverina suffered a second consecutive loss in the Andrew Johns Cup.

The young Bulls failed to score a point at St Marys, falling 26-0.

They face another tough test this week with the Tigers yet to taste defeat following a 16-all draw with the Dragons.

Both games will be played at Laurie Daley Oval.

The action starts at 11am.

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