The men's firsts side started their campaign with a forfeit win, which player Wayne Gahan acknowledged "didn't benefit the team."

"We wanted to blow the cobwebs out in that first run," he said.

They got that opportunity in the second game, recording a 17-5 win.

They went on to play in the first division cup quarter-final, narrowly losing in scrappy weather conditions.

The men's second side made the semi-finals of the bowl division, with Wayne rating the effort of both men's sides as an improvement.

There was a silver lining to their loss, with another Taree team, the Anthony Avery Memorial Team, winning the competition.

The women's side played three matches on the Friday of the carnival, with a positive start to their first game but a late loss of concentration led to them narrowly going down.

Their second game was a loss to eventual winners Redfern, but despite these tough results the women's team still qualified for the plate semi-finals.

Once again they kicked out to an early lead, only to lose narrowly.

"That's sevens though," said women's coach Wayne Gahan.

"One minute you're in front, the next you're behind."

Wayne was impressed with his side's improvement and said that the development of young players bodes well for the future.

"We're building and that's all that matters.

"I'm proud of each and every one of them."