From the outset, North Tamworth purred in pursuit of a record sixth consecutive premiership - emphatically showing their 2019 rivals that their insatiable hunger for titles had not waned.
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And with two-time NSW Country player Josh Schmiedel and Pirates No 10 Andrew Moodie rejoining the Bears last season, and with the nucleus of the side from previous seasons intact, Norths were even more ruthless - racking up a heap of points while conceding relatively few as they fended off sides en route to a grand final demolition job of Kootingal-Moonbi.
Their undefeated season resulted in them claiming the Clayton Cup, awarded to the first-grade side in country NSW with the best record that year. It was the third time the club won the award (they also won it in 1951 and 2014). Only three other clubs have secured the Cup three times: the Tweed Heads Seagulls, the Cobar Roosters and the Grafton Ghosts being the others.
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The biggest individual story emerging from the grand final, which Norths won 40-4 after leading 12-0 at half-time, was the performance of veteran Bears prop Shane Wadwell. In his farewell game, Wadwell was cyclonic in his intensity, and was duly named man of the match. Bears captain-coach Scott Blanch was also superb, while Kooty were game.
But when the Bears' much-vaunted left-edge attack - propelled by Blanch - revved up after the break, the Roosters wobbled like bowling pins and then toppled over.
However, led by their inspirational No 7 Jordan Sharpe - who played despite dislocating his knee in a preliminary final defeat of Werris Creek the week before - Kooty's light dimmed but never went out.
Post-match, Blanch spoke of the pressure he felt keeping North Tamworth's dynastic run going. "A lot of relief, and it's pretty special to me," he said.
Elsewhere on the Group 4 topography, Werris Creek finished the regular season in second spot but couldn't find an elevated form plane in the finals - losing to Norths and then to Kootingal-Moonbi.
Gunnedah sneaked into the finals, although they were inconsistent throughout the season. They showed their worst side in an elimination final thumping at Kootingal. The sight of Bulldogs No 1 Dylan Lake sitting forlornly on the ground, after another Kooty try, summed up their season, in a way.
Narrabri started the season buoyed by winning the inaugural Jack Woolaston Nines but misfired throughout the season, despite captain-coach Brenton Cochrane firing in attack.
Dungowan had few highlights and finished sixth, while Boggabri won their first ever top-grade match but came last. Bears back-rower Jake McManus was named Group 4 player of the year.
