The last time Norths lost at home was to West Lions in round three of 2015.

When Bulldogs centre Aaron Donnelly beat the tackle of Fijian winger Tevita Peceli and raced 15 metres to score in the corner early in the second half, the visitors led 14-12 and an upset was on the cards.

Read also:

But three unanswered North Tamworth tries nullified the threat.

The first of those tries was scored by No 15 Brock Wadwell - his second for the match. The cagey veteran was put into a hole inside the Bulldogs' 20m zone by No 14 Liam Ball. Jake McManus converted: 18-14 to Norths.

Soon after that it was 22-14 when Fijian centre Livinai Tuicakau posted a strong close-range try.

When Scott Blanch - back in action after missing a round with injury - fired a trademark long ball that sent Peceli scurrying over in the corner, Gunnedah were all but done.

It was an immediate rebound win for the Bears. The Roosters beat them 30-12 at Kooty last Saturday - the Bears first loss since late in the 2018 season.

Bulldogs No 1 Dylan Lake scored a consolation try in the last minute of the match.

It was 12-10 at the break after Bulldogs No 9 Liam Ireland scrambled over the tryline late in the half.

Referee Luke Sheather had to be replaced in the second half after the ball was accidentally kicked into his face.

Veteran Bears prop Ben Jarvis predicted the six-time reigning premiers "would build momentum over the next couple of weeks".

"It's just been a bit clunky, a bit stop-start - just with a couple of injuries to key players," he said of Norths' season three games in.

He said that Saturday's win "wasn't the prettiest, but we got there in the end".

Donnelly said that if Gunnedah "keep turning the ball over and giving penalties away, it's gonna be a long year".

"You come here and you always know it's gonna be a hard game," he added.

It was Gunnedah's first loss of the season.

North Tamworth 26 (B Wadwell 2, T Peceli, L Tuicakau, T Woolaston tries; J McManus 3 goals) d Gunnedah 20 (A Donnelly 2, D Lake, L Ireland; D O'Brien 2 goals)

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: