SCOTT Blanch enjoyed his “return” to the Bears last Saturday.
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The 24-year-old had not played for North Tamworth since he was a teenager in their Under 18s and revelled in his return home after stints in the NRL and France’s elite 1 competition.
On Saturday he scored one try and had a hand in another half dozen in the 70-18 demolition of Oxley Diggers.
His jinking, elusive running is sure to be a major addition to the Bears’ premiership machine.
“It’s good to be back,” he said with an easy grin in the post-match fun that comes in a winning dressing shed.
“I played here when I was 18.
“It’s such a good club.”
Blanch also captained Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School to a University Shield in his 18th year and then promptly moved to Sydney to play Under 20s and then Premier League with Manly-Warringah.
“I had two years in the Toyota Cup (U20s) and then two in the NRL squad playing Premier League,” he said.
“That was good.”
However what came next was even better.
He transferred to France to play with Limoux Grizzlies in the Elite 1 French competition.
“They are in the south of France, not far from the Catalan region,” he said.
“That was the experience of a lifetime.
“I played in a good standard as well as seeing the world.
“But it’s also good to be back home, working with my dad on the farm (Hallsville).
“I’m just glad to be back with a good club.
“They have made me feel so welcome.
“I love the club.”
He’s hoping to repay their hospitality by helping them win back-to-back premierships and had the chance to enjoy a weekend off with the Bears having a second-round bye.
They return with a home game against West Lions at Jack Woolaston Oval next weekend.