North Tamworth Bears: Premiers eyeing 45th straight home win in Bulldogs clash

James Cooper remembers its genesis, as he is one of three surviving Bears who played for the club in 2015: the year the side lost their last home match at Jack Woolaston Oval.

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It was round three, and West Lions had edged them.

"I think Matt Nean and [Chris] Vidler had a field day [for Wests]," Cooper said of the match.

Since then, West Lions folded and Norths beat Wests in the 2015 grand final - their second straight premiership en route to six in a row.

Their defeat of the Roosters in the 2019 finale was their 44th consecutive home win.

It was also their last match at home (the 2020 season was cancelled due to COVID-19).

On Saturday evening, the Bears will look to make it 45 consecutive home wins when they host Gunnedah in a third round clash.

A 30-12 loss to Kootingal-Moonbi last round was North Tamworth's first defeat since late 2018.

Cooper has been selected at lock for Saturday's clash. Teammates Scott Blanch - who has been named on the bench after missing the Kooty loss with a shoulder injury - and replacement Brock Wadwell are the other surviving Bears from 2015.

Cooper said: "I think it's what any club tries to build - and that's a good home record. But we're coming off a loss last weekend.

"It probably adds a bit of importance for us in terms of trying to get a win this weekend.

"You know, jump back on the horse, so to speak, and make sure we're there or thereabouts as far as the competition goes, because I think this year is gonna be pretty tight."

The Bulldogs have started the season with two wins, and are coming off a 38-14 home defeat of Dungowan.

NORTH TAMWORTH: 1 Mitch Sheridan, 2 Blake Cameron, 3 Livianai Tuicavau, 4 Tevita Cegaunaivali, 5 Tevita Peceli, 6 Zac Coleman, 7 Bailey Taylor, 8 Tom Woolaston, 9 Ryan Ingram, 10 Ben Jarvis, 11 Jake McManus (c), 12 Dan Kelly, 13 James Cooper, 14 Brock Wadwell, 15 Liam Ball, 16 Scott Blanch, 17 TBA. Coach: Brad McManus.

GUNNEDAH: 1 Dylan Lake, 2 Cain Eather, 3 Aaron Donnelly, 4 Dylan O'Brien, 5 Paul Sharpley, 6 Reece Jaeger (c), 7 Nick White, 8 Lincon Smith, 9 Liam Ireland, 10 Rory Harding, 11 Zak Turnbull, 12 Nick Altmann, 13 Jacko Brookman, 14 Aiden Davis, 15 Dan Russell, 16 Lachlan King, 17 TBA . Coach: Mick Schmiedel.

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