After a five-hour bus trip up to the land of country music and the golden guitar, the team arrived in Tamworth to enjoy a Friday night with a good feed, a few yarns and maybe a spot of poker. The following day the players and staff went through their usual game day preparations leading into a 3pm kick off and also had a chance to check out the NSWRL Magic Round set up at Scully Park including a few sponsor stalls.

Our game against the Newcastle Knights did not kick off in a magic way. Within thirty minutes from kick off we were trailing 18 nil and scrambling to hold possession. Just after the Knights third try, prop forward Sean Vaivelata is taken off with an HIA and Phil Makatoa is brought on. Jayden Yates also takes to the field and within two minutes has a big impact breaking the red & black scoring drought. As the team sets on the try line, Yates dives from dummy half under the posts and Harradyn Wilson easily converts. The half time whistle blows and the boys head to the sheds down 18 – 6.

A re-energised team takes to the field, ready for another 40 minutes and Bears fans watching from near and far hold their breath on what that half will bring. Knights again open the scoring and extend their lead to 24 – 6. Bears raise that lead and from the 45th minute the lads kept the opposition scoreless, fearlessly fighting to take back every point. Young Melbourne Storm Jersey Flegg player, Siulagi Pio, makes a break to light up the score board, Wilson converts and Bears are back in the game. Eight minutes later, Yates makes another great break, offloads to Coby Thomas who gets a swift pass across to a supporting Riley Meyn who charges down the line and adds the four points. A difficult sideline conversion is waved away, and the scores sits at 24 – 16. Ten minutes further along and again the Bears are attacking the line. Chase Chapman is pushing hard across the line but manages to offload to Wilson who long balls it to Compton Fuatimau who scores in the corner and the crowd are on their feet in cheers. Again, a wide conversion is unsuccessful, but the score is edging closer now at 24 – 20. Three minutes remaining on the clock and the Bears are down by four points with a set restart on their 20 metre line. Coby Thomas busts through a tiring Knights defensive line, shrugging off players and pumping the legs to get clear. Shows it, draws the opposition in and in perfect timing offloads to Jake Toby who sprints and slides under the posts, excitedly booting the ball into the crowd in what was an absolutely magic moment. Wilson converts from in front and the Bears take the lead of the game for the first time, 24 – 26 with two minutes to hold on until the final whistle blows. A heart stopping game with a magic end!