Group 4: North Tamworth defeat Moree Boars 34-16

But like all top sides, the Bears found a way to win - before kicking away with three late tries in a 34-16 round five defeat of Moree at Jack Woolston Oval on a cold Saturday afternoon.

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It was a remarkable 47th consecutive home triumph for Norths. Their last home loss was to West Lions in round three of 2015.

The small crowd that showed up on Saturday were entertained by a spirited Boars fightback that was ignited by a strong close-range try by veteran prop Marshall Barker late in the first half.

Down 16-6 at the break, Moree levelled the score at 16-16 when replacement Mark Pegus crossed after a lovely long ball by No 9 Stan Swan.

And then No 14 Adrian Smith scampered over, after a lively Boars movement, and halfback Mick Watton converted.

But almost on cue, the best player on the field, Bears skipper and No 6 Scott Blanch, sliced through Moree's defence and raced some 30m before finding fullback Mitchell Sheridan close to the tryline.

Young No 7 Bailey Taylor added the extras from in front with 12 minutes remaining, on what would be a perfect goalkicking day for him (five from five) - and Norths led 22-16.

Swan then went agonisingly close to scoring - brought down by Sheridan, who was sin-binnned for a professional foul.

Moree were camped in Norths' 20m zone for a sustained attacking blitz, but Norths repelled them.

And then prop Ben Jarvis, playing his 50th first-grade game for the Bears, steamed on to an inside pass from hooker Ryan Ingram close to the Boars' tryline.

Taylor added the extras and it was 28-16 with four minutes left.

Bears centre Livinai Tuicakau then crashed over out wide for his second try.

North Tamworth sit atop the table with four wins, while Moree are in fifth spot with two wins.

Jarvis said the reigning six-time premiers were yet to find top gear.

The Bears "couldn't seem to get in the game" for a period, he said, adding: "We've still got a bit of work to do, I think."

Norths, Jarvis continued, could improve up to 40 per cent. "That's good ... At least we still know we've got a bit of improvement in us," he said.

North Tamworth opened the scoring when winger Tevita Peceli flew high to grab a Blanch cross-field kick.

Peceli - who crossed five times in Norths' 60-10 defeat of Boggabri at Jack Woolaston Oval last round - then scored again, before Tuicakau crossed for his first.

North Tamworth 36 (T Peceli 2, L Tuicakau 2, M Sheridan, B Jarvis tries; B Taylor 5 goals) d Moree 16 (M Barker, A Smith tries; M Watton 2 goals)

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