NORTH Tamworth kept their perfect record intact on Saturday, running over the Bulldogs in the second half to record a 46-6 point win at Jack Woolaston Oval.
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The Bears were on the front foot from the opening whistle and didn’t take long to open their account, hooker Brock Wadwell busting through the ruck to cross under the posts.
Ten minutes later, prop Luke Byrnes did the same thing before new Best and Fairest leader Scott Blanch scored a perfect halfback’s try with a dummy each way before slipping straight through to extend the lead to 18-nil after 20 minutes.
While the Bears ran in the tries, it was far from a one-way game.
The Bulldogs’ defence was working hard and, when they held the ball, did create a few chances.
Unfortunately for the visitors, poor ball control saw a few good chances go to ground that, if held, would have seen them stay with the hosts.
They did manage to hold the Bears out for the remaining 20 minutes of the half before opening the scoring in the second.
Former Bear now Bulldog Callum Hayne crossed after Keegan Loughrey showed some pace down the right side, although that would be the only points they would get as the Bear machine started to roll over the top.
Electric fullback James Duchatel hit a ball at pace from a Blanch inside ball that put him under the dot before hooker Brock Wadwell put Ben Jarvis over with another inside ball.
Winger Anthony Burns burnt the defence out wide after picking up a kick and racing to the corner in a top individual effort, before skipper Blanch crossed again and second- rower James Cooper found the corner on the bell to rub salt into the Bulldogs’ wound.
North coach Brad McManus thought it was one of the best efforts the side had put in this season, specifically their discipline and defence.
“I thought we were pretty good today,” McManus said.
“There are plenty of points there and we have been building on our defence.
“I think that is the third game in a row we have only let one try in.”
The Bears remain unbeaten this season but aren’t getting too far ahead of themselves, aiming for a top two spot as the side continues to come together after a disrupted start to the year.
“We are starting to gel together now,” McManus said.
“We just want to keep poking along and work our way into the finals and then it starts again.
“The boys are working really hard at training and I am happy with where we are heading.”