![PLAYMAKER: Bears captain Scott Blanch. Photo: Mark Bode PLAYMAKER: Bears captain Scott Blanch. Photo: Mark Bode](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/KUhQizDbwW8WqAyPP4x5yp/f8aecd6f-4183-4377-ab69-ae7388da1d0a.JPG/r0_619_4288_2849_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
COVID-19 has cruelled the North Tamworth Bears' Old Boys Day for the second year running.
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The Bears play competition leaders Kootingal-Moonbi at Jack Woolaston Oval on Saturday and had planned a big day to celebrate their past players, officials, fans and exploits.
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Bears coach Brad McManus said: "We had planned another big day with entertainment all day, had jazzed it up there at the ground and back at the Court House Hotel as well.
"But it's too hard now with all the restrictions."
McManus did have some good news, though - his star five-eighth and captain Scott Blanch might be right to play.
"His hamstring injury might not be as bad as we first thought," McManus said.
Blanch had suffered the twinge late in last Sunday's 62-16 win over Dungowan.
Kootingal-Moonbi coach Geoff Sharpe hopes Blanch plays so the Roosters face a close-to-full-strength side in a big test for their minor premiership aspirations.
He does have winger Jack Anderson right to play but will be missing Phil Beaton, Ethan Parry and Zach Hatch.
Beaton strained a hamstring in a forlorn chase of Cody Parry early in last Saturday's win over Werris Creek.
Hatch reinjured a knee after filling in at prop while Ethan Parry suffered delayed concussion and will be out for at least this game.
"He was still in hospital Sunday," Sharpe said of the fullback who became ill in the sheds after Saturday's big win over Werris Creek.
He is satisfying the concussion protocols, Sharpe said.
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