Last Sunday saw a great day of community rugby league at North Sydney Oval as we kicked off the morning with North Sydney District U7s Gala Games. These young players had completed their Tackle Ready program and got to play their first games of tackle on the hallowed turf of Bear Park. Each player was given a special reversible Bears jersey that featured our traditional Red & Black Hoops Jersey on one side and our Claw Jersey on the reverse.

Following the juniors, we welcomed our pathway player club Mounties who played their Sydney Shield and Ron Massey Cup games with both teams walking away with big wins over their opposition. It was fantastic to see many Bears contracted players feature in these games on the day.

At 3pm, the Bears took to the field to take on the Green Machine from the nation’s capital and boy were we in for one thrilling game! Although Raiders got the early jump lighting up the score board in just over 2 minutes from kick off the red & black swiftly retaliated and kept the opposition scoreless for the next 26 minutes with strong line defence. Matt Stimson got the Bears on the board as he charged towards the try line on the hill side adding the four points. The wide kick was waved away and the score sat at 4 – 6. Near on ten minutes later, our nimble #1 Jake Toby ducked and weaved has way through the Raiders to crash over the line. Trey Brown converted, and the home team took the lead 10 – 6. Ten minutes later the opposition the boys and green grabbed the lead back off a neat grubber under the posts, highlighting the tit for tat game we had on our hands. Only moments later the Bears were swiftly attacking the line moving the ball fast to the wing to find fast paced young Siulagi Pio who dove for the line and nabbed his third try for the Bears this season. Again the sideline kick was unsuccessful, and the score sat at 14 -1 2. With five minutes left on the clock, Bears had the ball down in their half when Toby makes a break, legs it down field to find a supporting Stimson who keeps it alive until Jesse Marschke calls on the inside and takes it to the line. An epic try that left the BARTV commentator hoarse and the crowd cheering on their feet. The conversion is good, and the team headed in for the half time break up 20 – 12.

The second half saw the Bears start with a string of errors that led to a succession of three opposition tries that saw the Raiders take back the lead 20 – 28 with 29 minutes still on the clock. Losing forward Riley Meyn to an HIA at this point was not great but we welcomed Melbourne Storm forward Ativalu Lisati to the field in his place. At the 54th minute, the mighty red & black found their composure as Compton Fuatimau shimmied his way through the defence to add the four points and Brown converted to bring the game back within 2 points. With fire in our belly and momentum on our side the Bears fought on, seeking points. 16 minutes on the clock and the Raiders knock-on near their line, Trey Brown pounces quickly to kick the ball forward, ground the ball and convert it himself to give the lead back to the home team 32 – 28. With the score still very tight and plenty of time on the clock to go either way, the Bears maintained their defensive line and both teams were starting to play tough. Matt Stimson walked from the field at the 69th minute under HIA protocols and only 8 minutes later Raiders were pulled up again for a dangerous tackle that gave Bears the chance at 2 points to sure up the game. Brown lines it up but incredibly hits the posts and rebounds back into play that leads to a second penalty called for obstruction by a Raider. This call set off a brawl between the two teams, one minute on the clock and two players sin binned, including Chase Chapman for being the third man in. Again, Brown lines up the penalty kick, converts as the siren goes and as lightning crashes behind the McCartney Stand. Bears take the much-needed win, 34 – 28 and everyone swiftly departed the venue as the heavens erupted with torrential rain and severe lightning. A thrilling game with both sides giving 100% at Bear Park.