Sports

Aussie Croquet

February 26, 2021 By editor

At Aussie Croquet on Saturday, 20 February, 28 players enjoyed the beautiful conditions. The winners of three games were John Browne and Kevin Rubie. Big wins on the day included:
• 14 to 7 Kevin Rubie and John Browne
• 14 to 8 Ray Burridge and Tony Thomson, John Browne and Libby Smart.
• 14 to 9 John Allegri and Bill Scott, Barry White and Colleen Liebibich.

Close Games were:
• Neville Spry and John MacCullagh 14, John Cole and Jeff Liebich 13
• John Browne and John MacCullagh 14, John Farah and Geoff Coles 13
• Dorelle Scott and Robin Pols 14, Bill Scott and Lyn Simmonds 13
• Jeff Liebich and Geoff Coles 14, Neville Spry and Merv Langfield 13
• Harley Stewart and Kevin Rubie 14, Libby Smart and Neville Spry 13
• Marie Spry and Veva MacCullagh 14, Barry White and Jill Rubie 12
• Bob Murray and Veva MacCullagh 14, John Cole and Cherylin 12

See you all again next week, enjoy the con- ditions and until then over and out!

By Pegging Out

Forbes Soccer Club Scores Big With Two Local Sporting Grants

February 26, 2021 By editor

Member for Orange, Phil Donato MP

Member for Orange, Phil Donato MP, on Monday, 22 February announced successful funding for the Forbes and District Soccer Club (the Club) under the Local Sporting Grant Program 2019/20.

A total of $13,300 in grants funding has been awarded to the Club for two projects, both of which Phil Donato MP deemed particularly worthy of support.

“The Club will be implementing a pathways program for the development of female players, for which they requested $2,000 and received full funding,” Mr Donato explained . “The larger grant of $11,300 was for a First Aid Injury Recovery Treatment Room, which will be an important as-set when it comes to the safety of players.

“The Club has shown great initiative and rather than building a new Treatment Room they are actually converting an unused storage space at the Botanical Gardens.”

“It was a pleasure to support this grant, which was submitted by the members of the Forbes Soccer Club,” said Mr Donato.

Club Secretary Doug McKenzie said that he was pleased to have received the funding, and was eager to see the project completed in the near future.

Earl Takes Top Honours On Countback

February 26, 2021 By editor

Pete Cowhan teeing off on the weekend at Forbes Golf Club.

The Men’s comp on Saturday, 20 February was an Individual Stableford, sponsored by Forbes Bus Lines, with 76 players enjoying the great weather.

The Division 1 required a count back, with Dave Earl (41 points) with his slightly better back nine declared the winner over Pete Cowhan. The Division 2 saw Brett Slack-Smith take the honours with 40 points. Runner-up was David Tildsley with 37 points. The NTP’s went to: 9th – Jacob Bernardi, 18th – Warwick Judge. The 3rd Hole Pro Shop Super Pin this week went to Harry Callaghan who put his shot to 79 cm from the hole’

The CWDGA Pennants teams are not doing so well. They all palyed at Mudgee, where the Div 1 team lost to Wellington (5/0) and the Div 4 team lost to Cowra (3/2). Results for Div 2 and Div 3 have not been posted at the time of going to press. Forbes hosts the Pennants this weekend, on Sun-day, 28 February so the tees will be closed for social and Sixes play until midday.

This is the last week of the round-robin series in the Summer Sixes Competition.

The Finals begin in the week 1-7 March, culminating in the Grand Final on 28 March.

The Golf Programme Books for 2021 are available at the Pro Shop counter, so grab one. It contains a lot of good information.

Tomorrow Saturday, 27 February, there is a 4BBB Par, sponsored by Highlands Design, with a Stableford Medley on Sun-day, 28 February after the Pennants are finished.

Horse Racing Col Celebrates Big 50

February 26, 2021 By editor

50TH CALL: Col Hodges, binoculars and race guide in hand calls his 50th Bedgerabong Picnic Race Club Cup. INSET: Col Hodges has been an institution in racing circles in the Central West for half a century and shows no signs of slowing down.

In an era where the term legend is bandied about at will, a legend of the country horse racing scene reached a significant and more than likely unmatched milestone recently.

Col Hodges, who began doing phantom race calls at school as a nine-year old, is celebrating his 50th year as a race caller and 50 years since he called his first Bedgerabong Picnic Race Club Cup. The spritely 71 year old shows no signs of slowing down.

“When I attended my first race meeting at 14 at Bedgerabong Picnic Races – 57 years ago, seeing the horses galloping down the straight was one of the most exciting things I had ever seen,” said Col.

“I’m an animal lover first and have called trots longer than horse racing as well as greyhounds in my time but my first horse race was Gooloogong Gallops in October 1970 – one race won by Minibill.”

“Easter 1971 I called my first race meeting.”

Bedgerabong and Forbes remain close to his heart and he has called for over 40 race clubs and does over 100 race meetings a year.

“From Bathurst to Broken Hill and Cowra to Coonamble,” said Col.

While at this stage he’s not thinking about retirement Col says that when he starts to slip that’s when he will “pull the pin.”

“I admire the people involved in this industry, they are great people and animal lovers and gives me more pleasure than calling any race.”

Until this legend of the track draws a close on his illustrious career, I for one can’t wait to see Col up there in the tower named in his honour in 2022. Binoculars in hand, form guide blocking the February sun and the horses bursting out of the barriers like hounds from hell. Must be Bedgerabong…

Netball News

February 26, 2021 By editor

Representative News
Regional carnival dates will be available from Wednesday, 24 February. Representative forms are available to print from the FNA website and can be emailed to Secretary Lyn on email secretary.forbesnetball@gmail.com Any enquiries, or players who cannot attend the day, but wanting to nominate should send an email to above.

Autumn Night Competitions
The Autumn night competitions for both mixed and ladies teams will play the first grading games on Wednesday night. There is still time for teams to enter the competitions.

Teams looking for players, or players looking for teams, should email above, or come down to the courts on Wednesday night. This year, the Ladies division will again be split into division 1, and a 17under division, if there are enough ladies teams wanting to play 17s.

Night comps are a lot of fun, and anyone can join. The dates for the Autumn night competitions are available on the FNA Facebook page. Teams are encouraged to bring their own id patches to wear. All COVID safety rules are still in place, and everyone needs to sign in. Teams supply one umpire per allocation when rostered for duty.

Staines Leaves Mark With Panthers

February 26, 2021 By editor

Charlie Staines has started the 2021 season on a positive note in a winning first up effort for Penrith Panthers in a NSW Cup trial against Mounties 18-12.

Linking with new Wests Tigers recruit Paul Momirovski on the right edge, the new combination got off to a rough start as Mounties scooted to an early 12-0 lead. With possession finally going the Panthers way, the tide began to turn towards Penrith.

Two quick tries brought the score back to 12-10 at half time and the Panthers soon clicked into gear taking the lead for good not long thereafter with two quick tries.

Clinging to an 18-12 lead with a fraction of the game to go, Mounties looked set to score to make it 18-16 with a kick to come however it wasn’t to be and Panthers won in a thrilling game 18-12. Charlie Staines finished strongly, saving a certain try and the see-sawing affair provided a good work-out for eight of the NRL squad.

The Forbes Magpie junior is expected to line up on the wing for Round 1 of the NRL premiership in a few short weeks having taken the place of club legend Josh Mansour who has since moved to South Sydney. It’s a massive endorsement from the club and NRL coach Ivan Cleary that they see Staines as a big part of the Panthers future.

Meanwhile Staines is expected to line up again this weekend in the Battle of the West between Penrith and Parramatta with all grades playing at Panthers Stadium in an early glimpse at a mouth watering 2021 potential finals match up.

We can’t wait!

Sunshine Enjoyed By Golfers

February 19, 2021 By editor

The Forbes golfers enjoyed the sunshine to play well in the Saturday competition, an Individual Stableford, sponsored by Troy Howe Electrical and contested by 68 players.

Division 1 was won by Luke Flakelar with a score of 39 points. Runner-up was Anthony Alley on 38 points.

Division 2 was won by Mitch Bayley on 36 points. Runner-up was Max Haley also on 36 points, who finished with a string of 2-pointers for the last five holes. The ball sweep went to 33 points on count back.

The NTP’s went to: 9th – Bruce Squires, 18th – Paul Pymont. The 3rd Hole Pro Shop Super Pin was snared by Dan Bayley.

The Sunday Stableford Medley field was quite small. Bruce Carpenter won with 34 points ahead of Ray Taylor on 27 points.

CWDGA Pennants teams Div 3 had a bye and the other teams lost despite good performances from John Betland (Div 1) and Bruce Chandler (Div 4). Note that Forbes hosts the Pennants on Sunday, 28 February, so the tees will be closed until midday.

The Sixes Competition is in its 17th week, with another week of round robin to play. The Finals commence in the week 1-7 March. There is a Main Draw for the top 5 teams in each Pool, and a Plate Draw for the second five teams in each Pool. The Grand Final is scheduled for Sunday 28 March, with the presentation that evening.

This weekend we have an 18-hole Stableford event sponsored by Forbes Bus Lines. On Sunday, 21 February we have a Stableford Medley and the Pennants continue.

By Short Putt

Croquet Continues To Grow Locally

February 19, 2021 By editor

Jill Rubie celebrating her 80th birthday with the Forbes Croquet Club.

Golf Croquet

There were 29 players for Golf Croquet on Tuesday, 9 February. There were two winners of three games; they were John Cole and Bill Scott. Other results were:

• John Browne and Barry White 7 Joan Littlejohn and Marie Spry 6
• Sandy Hepburn and Ray Burridge 7 Colleen Liebich and Geoff Coles 6
• Elvy Quirk and John Cole 7 Merv Langfield and Bob Murray 6
• Bruce Field and Bill Scott 7 Lilly Allegri and John Job 6
• Geoff Coles and Neville Spry 7 John Job and John MacCullagh 6
• Harley Stewart and Lilly Allegri 7 Marie Spry and John Farah 6
• Tony Thomson and Mal Smith 7 Colleen Liebich and Bruce Fiejd 6
• Bill Scott and Libby Smart 7 Robin Pols and John Browne 6
• Merv Langfield and John Allegri 7 Ray Burridge and Loan Littlejohn 6
• John Coles and Barry White 7 Elvy Quirk and Jeff Liebich 6
• Bruce Field and John Job 7 Elvy Quirk and John Browne 6
• Jill Rubie and Libby Smart 7 Sandy Hepburn and Jeff Liebich 6
• Bob Murray and Sandy Hepburn 7 Kevin Rubie and Jill Rubie 6.

Aussie Croquet

On Saturday, 13 February there were 22 players to enjoy the morning. There were two players who had three wins, they were John Allegri and John Browne. Other results were:

• Harley Stewart and Tony Thomson 14 Dorelle Scott and Colleen Liebich 12
• John MacCullagh and Joan Littlejohn 14 Doreen Rogers and Bill Scott 12
• Elvy Quirk and Kevin Rubie 14 Doreen Rogers and Colleen Liebich 12
• Cherylin Cole and John Cole 14 Joan Littlejohn and Jill Rubie 12
• Marie Spry and John Allegri 14 John Farah and Bob Murray 12
• Dorellle Scott and Neville Spry 14 Bill Scott and John MacCullagh 11
• John Allegri and Tony Thomson 14 Kevin Rubie and Elvy Quirk 11.

By Pegging Out

Netball Gearing Up For Massive Season

February 19, 2021 By editor

AGM:
The Annual General Meeting of the Forbes Netball Association will be held on Thursday, 18 February at 7pm at the Forbes Sports and Recreation Club. Everyone interested should come along to the meeting.

New volunteers are needed to take the place of the retiring committee members. The February monthly meeting will be held immediately after the AGM.

Night Competitions:
The Autumn night competitions for both mixed and ladies teams will kick off next week, February 24, with the first grading games.

Team entries that have been entered by the AGM will be drawn to play on the 24th.

There is still time to enter the competitions, and the second grading games will be played on 3 March.

Team entry forms are available on the FNA website, and should be emailed to Secretary Mon email secretary.forbesnetball@gmail.com All the dates for the competition are on the FNA Facebook page. Nomination forms can also be handed in at the AGM on Thursday.

Teams available to play next week should have their entries in by Thursday night to allow time for the draw to be done. Anyone wanting to play and needs to find a team, or teams looking for players should email above.

Representative Trials:
The 2021 Representative introduction day will be held on Wednesday night February 24 at the netball courts, from 6 pm till 6-30.

Players wanting to trial for teams aged 12 years, 13 years and 14 years to compete in Junior State Titles, and players aged 15 years and Under 17 years to compete in Senior State Titles, should complete nomination forms.

Representative nomination forms are available on the FNA website. Players who are unavailable to attend the Introduction day at that time should email Mon.

Dates for the players to trial will be announced after nominations close on February 24

Diggers Swimming Results

February 12, 2021 By editor

Geoff Drane in the slow lane after his swim.

Fifty Metre Race

• HEAT 1: Geoff Drane won with 67.70 off 68 nominated. Eliza Cook with her first ever swim 74.37 off 68 nominated, Paige McCarthy 63.63 off 61 nominated and Sasha McCarthy 61.92 off 61 nominated.
• HEAT 2: Sean McCarthy took the win with a 46.27 off 47, with both seasoned swimmers of Mark Stibbard and Michael Prior 47.38 and 47.84 breaking off a 49 nominated.
• HEAT 3: David Stibbard winning with a 43.70 off 44 nominated from new-comer Brett Hayden with a 42.35 off 42 nominated, and Ben Coles a 43.55 off 43 nominated.
• HEAT 4: Brendon Hayes touching first with a 33.04 from 34 nominated, and Steve Cook 38.57 from 38 nominated.

Thirty Metre Race

• HEAT 1: Geoff took the double with 35.92 off 35, Eliza 42.38 from 40, Paige 37.34 from 35 and Sasha 76.50 from 40 nominated.
• HEAT 2: Mick won with a 24.09 off 25 nominated, Sean 22.55 off 23 nominated and Bucky 26.05 off 25.
• HEAT 3: David took the win with a 23.17 off 24 nominated with Brett and Ben both breaking with 21.78 and 21.71 of 23 nominated.
• HEAT 4: The Blue Ribbon event of the day was a tie with Brendon and Steve both swimming 17.76 off 18 nominated, the clocks nor official adjudicator Ian Prior were able to separate them.

Due to no bullies present on the day, a relay was able to be held. Team One, with Geoff, Brett, Sean, Steve and Bucky swimming 253.19 from 252 nominated. Team Two with Brendo, Benny, Dave, Eliza and Mick, swam 253.64 off 250 nominated.

No regular swim this Sunday, 14 February with Forbes Hosting the Western Districts AIF Carnival, all swimmers to be at the pool by 8:30am with the Ode and the Last Post at 9am, followed by the first heat being the President’s heat.

Aussie Croquet

Forbes Soccer Club Scores Big With Two Local Sporting Grants

Earl Takes Top Honours On Countback

Horse Racing Col Celebrates Big 50

Netball News

Staines Leaves Mark With Panthers

Sunshine Enjoyed By Golfers

Croquet Continues To Grow Locally

Netball Gearing Up For Massive Season

Diggers Swimming Results

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