GUNNEDAH Bulldogs slumped to one of its worst ever Group 4 first grade defeats at home on Kitchener Park when humbled 82-4 by the North Tamworth Bears on Sunday.
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The Bulldogs had no answer to the almost error-free Bears as they trampled through and around the home side.
The Bears crossed for 15 tries in the onslaught whilst Sam Lumby's lone four-pointer painted a barren picture for the Bulldogs.
North Tamworth hooker Brock Wadwell revelled in the lax Bulldog defence around the ruck too. He had crossed for five tries in his previous game against Narrabri but went one better against the Hapless Bulldogs, snaring six tries as well as the referee's three points in the Group 4 Best and Fairest Award.
Wadwell now has 21 tries for the season, hurdling Gunnedah half back Callum Hayne (16) and West Tamworth pivot Sam Taylor (19) in the process and sitting only behind teammate Scott Blanch (26) on the first grade tryscoring table.
Blanch, who had been playing hooker, but has now moved to five-eighth, crossed for another three tries in Sunday's Bulldog rout as well.
That's the best display we've put together all year
- Bears coach Brad McManus
Blanch also pocketed the two points in the best and fairest award to be four points ahead of Sam Taylor (who polled the three points in Friday night's win over Oxley Diggers) with two rounds remaining.
Bears coach Brad McManus was an elated man after Sunday's shellacking of a traditionally tough foe.
"That's the best display we've put together all year," Brad McManus told The Leader after the game.
"We nearly completed at 100 per cent. They boys really turned it on today. It was a pleasure to watch."
He was delighted with the six try effort from Wadwell and Blanch's three tries, while prop Ben Jarvis also grabbed his attention.
"Brock was great, six tries," he said.
"Blanchie steered us around well, but I also thought Ben Jarvis was big for us in the front row. He's come ahead in leaps and bounds the last few weeks, got better each game.
'"But we had 17 blokes out and they all put their hand up. While we were very good we didn't give them (Gunnedah) much at all."
Gunnedah's loss won't affect their semi final chances, but Narrabri's 74-22 win in Armidale leaves the Blues three points adrift of the Bulldogs in fourth spot.
Gunnedah plays second-placed West Lions this weekend in Tamworth, while the Blues are at home to Diggers before the two sides match up at Narrabri in the final round game, which could decide who runs third and obtains the home ground advantage for the minor semi.
FIRST GRADE: North Tamworth 25, West Lions 19, Gunnedah 16, Narrabri 13, Oxley Diggers 7, Armidale Rams 0.
