Opposing halfbacks Matt Wilson and Mitch Sheridan shared benchmark days at Jack Woolaston Oval on Sunday.
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The two number sevens clocked up anniversaries for their Dungowan and North Tamworth clubs, Wilson playing his 100th and Sheridan his 50th.
For Sheridan it was somewhat of a change, the versatile Bear moving from his normal fullback position to halfback in a positional switch with Bailey Taylor.
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That Taylor scored four tries and kicked six goals in the 62-16 success highlighted the success of that swap.
Sheridan was one of the Bears best too, giving swift service and backing up a good forward pack.
While he didn't score one of the 12 tries he had plenty of assists and ensured skipper and five-eighth Scott Blanch could attack at will.
Unfortunately for Sheridan, and the Bears, the new number seven might have a new pivot partner as Blanch might be out of action for a little while after suffering a hamstring strain late in the win.
Wilson didn't score a try either for his Cowboys but, like his teammates, never wilted under the constant Bears pressure.
It has been a tough season for the Cowboys.
They languish at the bottom of the eight-team competition with just the one competition point from a golden point loss to Narrabri at Narrabri to show for their hard work.
Facing up to the reigning premiers was tough enough in your hundredth game but it was also Wilson's first game back from injury.
His six weeks off did make it a real grind for him.
"It was pretty ordinary," he shrugged in a brutally honest assessment of his performance after the loss.
"We've got a good side," he added "just can't put it together."
The Cowboys can worry any side and did so at times against the Bears with winger Liam Mack scoring a contender of the try of the year in the first half.
That, and a second for the slim winger, helped dragged the Cowboys back to trailing 18-8 but they couldn't sustain the pressure. A couple of mistakes and the Bears took control again.
It's history now the Bears replied with two tries just before halftime and another quick one after half time to run away with the match.
However, it didn't mean the Cowboys stopped trying and they made the Bears earn it. Blake Jarrett, captain-coach Shaun Ferguson, prop Jason Allwood, lightweight second-rower Cody Byrne, little hooker Nathan McGuire all worked their backsides out.
As did their teammates.
Trent Taylor also came up with one glorious pass to put Byrne into a big gap for him to set up Mack for his second try.
Unfortunately, there were few other moments of brilliance to savour.
For Wilson it was disappointing to lose by that margin in his 100th game for the Cowboys.
The Cowboys competed though - and that's been a Cowboy trait since he returned from Newcastle University with a Bachelor of Education and a teaching post at Peel High in 2013.
"Had a lot of good seasons out there," he reflected.
"Had a lot of tough seasons as well. You can't win every year."
The friendship, camaraderie and fun he and his teammates have competing, makes it worthwhile.
