North Tamworth were given their toughest examination thus far this season - against a fired-up but inconsistent Kootingal-Moonbi and their rowdy home-ground supporters - but still prevailed 34-16.
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The five-time reigning premiers made it five wins from five outings in 2019, and now get an opportune three-week break to try and sort out some injuries concerns: their No.7 Kieran Fisher and No.1 Chis Hunt did not play on Saturday due to injuries.
The Bears' also lost playmaker captain-coach Scott Blanch for a large chunk of the match, after he appeared to cop a finger in the eye about the mid point of the first half. It bled quite freely, and he returned in the second half with the eye heavily bandaged.
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Norths centre Andrew Moodie followed teammate Shane Wadwell's early try, with his own four-pointer in about the 10th minute, to give the visitors a 10-0 lead that they never relinquished.
The Bears went into the match having scored 264 points and conceding 50. Moodie said Saturday's encounter was closer than the scoreline suggested.
"It was a bit different from previous weeks," he said. "We always knew it was gonna be tough, coming out here to play, and they showed up ready to go."
North Tamworth extended the lead via the try of the match: a long-range team effort finished off by No.14 Mitch Sheriden in the 27th minute. Jake McManus converted: 16-0.
Five minutes later, Bears second-rower Josh Schmiedel grubbered inside the Roosters' 20-metre zone and comfortably won the race to the ball to score under the uprights. McManus converted: 22-0.
Kooty desperately needed a lift, and their veteran prop, Chris Vidler, provided it via a close-range try in the 39th minute that was converted by fullback Anthony Smith.
Down 22-6 at the break, Vidler - later sin-binned for 10 minutes - charged on to an inside ball from Roosters No.7 Jordan Sharpe and ran the short distance to score under the posts in the 52nd minute. Smith converted: 22-12.
But Schmiedel - a try glutton since rejoining the Bears this season - weakened the Roosters' fightback when he crossed from close range in the 62nd minute. McManus converted: 28-12.
However, when Kooty No.3 Will Saunders scurried over to score in the 68th minute to make 28-16, the home - looking for their third win of the season - sniffed an upset.
But a try to Bears replacement Jack Patterson put paid to that.
Post-match, Roosters coach Geoff Sharpe was overheard saying that his charges delivered a uneven performance, which probably sums up their season to date.
North Tamworth 34 (Josh Schmiedel 2, Mitch Sheriden, Andrew Moodie, Shane Wadwell, Jack Patterson tries; Jake McManus 5 goals) d Kootingal-Moonbi 16 (Chris Vidler 2, Will Saunders tries; Anthony Smith 2 goals)
