North Tamworth had led 18-nil early after the home side had a slow start on an emotional day to honour the memory of club legend Paul "Poey" Raveneau.

The Bears also used that emotion to charge them up for a huge Group 4 first grade clash.

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Bears coach Brad McManus had targeted the Moree game, the third of three successive away games, as a crucial match in his side's premiership claims.

"We looked at it a month ago," McManus said.

"We had three games away from home at Gunnedah, Boggabri and Moree. All were dangerous games but we reckoned if we could win all three we'd be in a good spot."

They beat Gunnedah 36-22 and Boggabri 68-16 before Sunday's one-point win put the Bears three points behind top of the table Narrabri and two adrift of Kootingal-Moonbi.

Norths have home game against Werris Creek this Sunday and then a huge final round game against Narrabri at Collins Park the following week.

"We've had three big weeks away and we're looking forward to a home game against the Creek," McManus added.

On Sunday, the coach was delighted with his side's start.

"We fired out of the blocks," McManus said.

"But then we fell back into the same old stupid stuff, tried to score off every play and Moree fought their way back. They were coming home stronger than us, too.

"Then Bailey kicked the ugliest thing I've ever seen but it wobbled over.

"It was heart in the mouth stuff though, just happy we got the two points, that's the main thing.

"They [Moree] should be proud too. I feel chuffed that they made us a part of their Poey Raveneau day."

McManus thought Taylor, prop Tom Woolaston and lock Mark Simon were outstanding for the Bears.

"And our captain [Scott Blanch] steered the ship around," he added.

Moree president Todd Mitchell said a big crowd turned up for the Poey Raveneau Day and thought the "emotion of the day" might have got to the Boars early on.

"It was a real good game of footy, nice and tough," Mitchell said.

"We were a bit slow to start, trailed 18-nil and maybe the emotion of the big day got the boys. But they came back well - real well."

Boars captain-coach Ben Williams agreed.

"Yeah, we were down 18-nil early, they scored three tries in the first 10 or 15 minutes. The occasion might have got to a few of us but it was a massive effort to come back like that. They blew us out of the water early," Williams said.

"There have been teams in the past that, if they trailed 18-nil, would lose 50-nil. Not this team though.

"Every bloke in the side can hold their heads high, there wasn't a bad player out there, they all dug deep and showed them [Norths] we are in this."

He couldn't single any one player although Joe Wade, Holt Cubis and props Marshall Barker and Hayden Wiblen had strong games.

Boars pivot Brenton Cochrane also praised the effort of his teammates and is hoping to overcome a foot injury that has limited his performances in recent weeks.

It's a real pain in the foot, the brilliant Cochrane lamented.

(for and against in brackets)

Narrabri (304-224) 21

Kootingal (391-196) 20

North Tamworth (421-255) 18

Moree (298-265) 14

Gunnedah (311-340) 8

Boggabri (280-436) 8

Werris Creek (244-384) 6

Dungowan (227-354) 5

Werris Creek (244-384) 6