Aaron Donnelly: Performance against Norths not good enough

Three consecutive tries propelled the Bears from a 14-12 deficit early in the second half to a 26-20 win.

Donnelly, who bagged a try double, said: "We've got a lot to work on, to be honest. I think we're still a bit behind the eight ball.

"I don't think Mick [coach Schmiedel] will be very happy with the performance. I think he'll be a bit disappointed in us; it could've been a lot better."

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Donnelly said that if Gunnedah kept "turning the ball over and giving penalties away, it's gonna be a long year.

"So we've gotta fix that up."

Reigning six-time premiers North Tamworth were still the competition "benchmark", he said, adding: "We're a young side. We had a fair few out today - I know they did as well, so it's no excuse.

"We'll be better for the run."

Norths extended their home winning streak to an amazing 45 matches. The last time they lost at home was to West Lions in round three of 2015.

When Donnelly beat the tackle of Fijian winger Tevita Peceli and raced 15 metres to score in the corner early in the second half, the visitors led 14-12 and an upset was on the cards.

But three unanswered North Tamworth tries nullified the threat.

The first of those try was scored by No 15 Brock Wadwell - his second for the match. The cagey veteran was put into a hole inside the Bulldogs' 20m zone by No 14 Liam Ball. Jake McManus converted: 18-14 to Norths.

Soon after that it was 22-14 when Fijian centre Livinai Tuicakau posted a strong close-range try.

When Scott Blanch - back in action after missing a round with injury - fired a trademark long ball that sent Peceli scurrying over in the corner, Gunnedah were all but done.

It was an immediate rebound win for the Bears. The Roosters beat them 30-12 at Kooty last Saturday - the Bears first loss since late in the 2018 season.

Gunnedah's suffered their first loss of the year, with their No 1 Dylan Lake scoring a late consolation try when a hole opened up inside the Bears' 10m zone.

Norths struck first when prop Tom Woolaston crashed over, before Donnelly and No 5 Paul Sharpley combined for an excellent long-range try to Donnelly, who sent the winger flying down the touchline and then chased his kick and dived on the ball just before it went dead: 6-4 to Norths.

Wadewell then went himself from dummy to score - 12-4 after McManus's conversion - before Bulldogs No 9 Liam Ireland scrambled over late in the half: 12-10 to Norths at half-time.

Veteran Bears prop Ben Jarvis predicted the six-time reigning premiers "would build momentum over the next couple of weeks".

"It's just been a bit clunky, a bit stop-start - just with a couple of injuries to key players," he said of Norths' season three games in.

He said that Saturday's win "wasn't the prettiest, but we got there in the end".

Referee Luke Sheather had to be replaced in the second half after the ball was accidentally kicked into his face.

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