The North Tamworth juggernaut may have gathered momentum after the undefeated ladder leaders' 46-22 win over second-placed Werris Creek at Jack Woolaston Oval on Saturday.
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Bears No.15 Brock Wadwell and Magpies No.11 Sam Lumby were sent off by experienced referee James Brown after a melee late in the first half.
As often occurs, Norths exploded out of the blocks - racing to a 22-0 lead before Magpies No.6 Dwight Millgate crossed for the visitors' first try just before halftime.
Werris Creek scored first and early in the second half, via winger Nathanial Slater, but the Bears quickly regained their dominance. And although the Creek, a plucky outfit with lofty ambitions, never went away, Norths were far too classy.
It was the reigning five-time premiers' seventh win of the season, their second defeat of Werris Creek in 2019 (they won 54-22 at the Creek in round one) and their 39th consecutive win at home.
Bears forwards Jake McManus and Shane Wadwell both scored two tries, as did Slater and Millgate.
McManus said fear of losing motivated Norths to keep winning.
"I still think the competition's fairly even," he said. "Most teams that we play, if we don't play our best footy, then we can definitely get beat on the day.
"So, I suppose, that's our motivation: if we're not playing well, we won't be winning games."
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Norths' Scott Blanch-organised left edge was typically lethal on Saturday. It was Blanch who crossed for the match's opening try after a slick one-two with McManus about 20 metres out from the Magpies' tryline.
Bears winger Jeremy York then grubbered close to the Creek's tryline and centre Richard Clegg pounced on the ball in the in-goal. McManus missed the conversion: 10-0.
When Bears winger Zac Nigro showed good hustle to score out wide, followed quickly by McManus - operating on the left edge - racing about 20m to score untouched, Werris Creek were in a deep hole.
North Tamworth 46 Jake McManus 2, Shane Wadwell 2, Zac Nigro, Richard Clegg, Scott Blanch, Nic Dobson tries; McManus 7 con) d Werris Creek 26 (Nathanial Slater 2, Dwight Millgate 2; Cody Tickle 2, Scott Berry con)
