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Forbes Phoenix

Forbes Junior Open A Big Success

August 18, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Eleanor Murray from Dubbo won the Forbes Junior Open on Sunday with net 65. She is too young to win a car as her prize! A total of 25 players from Cabramatta, Dubbo, Bathurst, Bankstown, Bourke, Parkes and Forbes took part and handicaps ranged from 3 to 30+, with six of the players on single figures.

The U-14 Scratch winner was Harrison Glenday (Cabramatta) with 83, while the U-14 Handicap winner was Cam McMillan (Forbes) with 77. The U-15 Scratch winner was Jackson Fearns (Bankstown) with 80, and the U-15 Handicap winner was Adam Coull (Bankstown) with 71.

The team event was won by Country with E Murray from Dubbo, J Cunningham from Bourke, J Kuntze from Forbes, and M Bourne from Dubbo and L Mears with 220 points. A 9-hole shoot-out was played on Saturday afternoon. The Scratch winner was Adam Coull (36) and the Nett winner was Mitchell Bourne (33). Jackson Fearns (Banktown) and Will Gordon (Forbes) were the only players to score a ‘2’, both on the 9th.

By Short Putt

Magpies Ruffle Feathers To Cause Upset

August 18, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

footy 3

The Forbes Magpies League Tag side won in spectacular fashion last Saturday against twin town rivals the Parkes Spacecats. With the Spacecats in top position on the Group XI leader board, the Magpies went in as the underdogs, but came out with a will to win. They also became the talk of the day defeating Parkes 16-10 after a half-time lead of 16 – 0.

“It was the best possible way to finish our regular season,” said Captain, Amy Townsend. “The girls put everything into action that we have been working on all year. There is nothing better than beating Parkes at home!

“We will take a lot of confidence from our performance this weekend and look to continue our form into the finals.”

The next game for the girls is a home semi-final this Saturday, playing the Parkes Spacecats again. “We are looking to put in another ground breaking performance,” said the Captain.

It was a spectacular day all round for the Magpies with all four grades taking home wins. The Under 18s won 26-6; Reggies won 30-14 and First Grade Lead won 22-20. First Grade will also play the Parkes Spacemen tomorrow. Gates will open at 10:00am with the Ladies League Tag game at 10:30am.

Netball News

August 11, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

The last rounds of the Forbes Netball Association Saturday competition were played last week, and the semi-finals start tomorrow. On 20th August the major semi-finals will take place, the finals on 27th August and the grand finals on 3rd September. The annual presentation will take place after the grand finals.

The Edna Jenkin Memorial Junior Encouragement Award for 11 and 12 years players is one of the awards to be presented. This award will be presented to a player who has shown outstanding co-operation, enthusiasm and sportsmanship throughout the season. The team encouragement award will go to one player in each team the coach would like to encourage in the 11 and 13 years competition.

Nominations for the Chris Read Memorial Award need to be handed in the by tomorrow. This award will go to an individual who is not on the committee, but has helped out in many different roles.

First grading games in the Spring Night competitions for both mixed and ladies teams will be played on 17th August, and the second grading games on 24th August.

ANDREW DUKES WINS MONTHLY MEDAL

August 11, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Andy Dukes’ 69 nett made him the winner of the Monthly Medal last Saturday. Runner-up was Andrew Grierson with a nett 72 in a field of 64 players. The B-grade winner was Dave Rhodes and runnerup Geoff Coles. The C-grade winner was Stuart French and runner-up was Bruce Squires.

Saturday’s ball sweep went to 74 nett on count back, being given to those above plus: 72 – B Borger, B Shine, W Gordon; 73 – P Dawson, D Churchill; 74 – P Barnes, D Culley, B Everest, M Spice and T Morgan. The NTP’s went to: 9th – B Shine; 18th – B Borger. Barry got his ‘2’ but Bob missed his by a long shot. There were eight 2’s scored overall. Sunday’s Stableford Medley unfortunately had a small field. The winner was Scott Kirkman finishing with 36 points. The only NTP was on the 9th, scored by M Reid.

Some Wallace Cup match results are: L Grierson d A Dukes 4/3; D Mylecharane d P Maher 1-up and I Bown d P Dawson. The NSW Men’s 4-Ball District Final was played at Grenfell on Sunday. Three pairings attended from Forbes, joining teams from Bogan Gate, Parkes, Condobolin and Grenfell. The event was won by Grenfell pairing Taylor/McMahon with +6. Forbes teams were Morgan/McDonald (+2), Smith/Haans (-3) and Newport/Drane (-3).

The Inaugural Sand/Grass Green Championship is set for 20th and 21st August. There is still room for more entries.

By Short Putt

Tom Wins Australian Dirt Track Title

August 11, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

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Local boy Tom Drane won a title and a third place in the Junior Australian Dirt Track Championships last weekend in Gunnedah. Tom took part in three different divisions this year. He won the 85cc modified competition for 7-10 years, retaining his title from last year. Tom started another new class this year, 85cc 2stroke to 150cc 4 stroke 9-11years.

He won a number of heats over the two days and came third in the final. He also moved up to an older division of the 65cc 9-13 years in which he won a number of heats to qualify 6th overall for the final. In the final his ignition failed in the second lap and forced him to finish the final early.

Tom was joined by a number of riders from Forbes including Sam Drane, Holly and Hugh Hope-Hodgetts and Beau Bailey. They competed in the Nippers 50cc Demo Division and all of them rode extremely well. Tom’s next race will be in September competing in the NSW Long Track Titles at the Central Coast. He will also swap his bikes for go karts next month to compete in the Southern Star Series and the NSW Kart Titles at Manning Valley.

Magpies Back On Form

August 4, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

The Forbes Magpies first grade clinched a much needed 34 – 26 win over the Nyngan Tigers at the Spooner Oval on Sunday. “It was a great performance and a really good win,” said Greg Grogan President of the Magpies. “It was our best performance for the past six or seven weeks. The coach was also very happy as we needed this win to retain our position in the top five, and after going down to the Narromine Jets the previous week.”

Greg said the beautiful weather on Sunday brought out the biggest crowd so far this year. Other results on the day included a tie for the reserve grade (16 – 16); Under 18s defeated Nyngan 34 – 12; League Tag girls won.

Dukes & Cogswell Take American Foursomes

August 4, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Andy Dukes and Andy Cogswell won the Annual American Foursomes men’s competition last Saturday with 66 5/8 nett. A total of 52 players contested the competition, sponsored by Milton Cartwright. Milton brings the event from historical beginnings in Sydney, and relishes the challenge it gives the players.

It is a pairs event where the format includes playing 2nd shots from each other’s tee shots, before alternating with the “best ball”. Dukes and Cogswell played at the end of the field, dashing the hopes of P Dawson/S Sallaway, who sat in the clubhouse as early leaders. They finished runners-up with a nett 67 ½ from their 69 scratch result – a 34/35 split showing consistency in their play.

Saturday’s ball sweep went to 72 ½ , being picked up by those above plus: 681/8 – N Duncan/A Grierson, 69 ½ – D Bayley/ K Herbert, 71 3/8 – D Rhodes/ N McMillan, 72 3/8 – D Culley/ B Parker and 72 ½ – R Borger/P Nixon.

The NTP’s went to: 9th – L Grierson and 18th – K Herbert. Kim got his 2 but Lee missed out. There were four 2’s scored overall.

Sunday’s Stableford Medley was won by Dave Rhodes competing with 15 other players. He managed to concentrate all the way for his 38 points. Runner-up, on count back, was Scott Kirkman with 34 points. For the NTP’s, nobody found the green at the 9th (guys, it is just past the bunker) but Richard
Smith hit the bull’s-eye on the 18th. He missed his 2 though.

The ball sweep went to 33, and apart from those above was delivered to: 34 – L Godden; 33 – R Smith, B Carpenter. Do not forget to put your name on the list to participate in the Inaugural Sand/Grass Green Championship, to be held on 20th and 21st August. Rounds will be played at Forbes and Grenfell. Join players from as far afield as Walcha who have already registered.

All players are reminded to repair your pitch marks on the greens. The greens may look firm, but severe dents are being left unrepaired. Make the effort to walk to the front of the green even if the pin is at the back. Tomorrow is the Monthly Medal, sponsored by Bernardi’s Super IGA. Sunday is the 18-hole Stableford Medley, the Men’s 4BBB DGA Final at Grenfell (good luck Messrs Newport and Drane ), and the Albert GC Open.

By Short Putt

Pymont And Coles Win 4BBB Stroke Champs

July 28, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Garry Pymont and Geoff Coles were the handicap champions of the 4BBB Stroke Championships last Saturday. The event was carried over from the previous weekend due to bad weather. It was still a battle for the 24 competing pairings as the conditions were described as tougher than walking the Kokoda trail.

Pymont and Coles won with 61 nett, who combined well hole by hole. Runners-up were Peter Barnes and Doug Churchill with 67 nett, on count back from A McDonald/Tony Cogswell. The Stroke winners were S Sallaway/P Dawson with 71, from D Bayley/A Dukes on 73. Saturday’s ball sweep went to 68 nett, on count back, being picked up by 61 – G Pymont/G Coles; 67 – D Churchill/P Barnes, A McDonald/T Cogswell, D Bayley/A Dukes, N and C McMillan; 68 – F Donohue/P Pymont, P Cowhan/P Kay and R Nixon/M Langfield.

The NTP’s went to: 9th – T West; 18th – S Sallaway. There were eight 2’s. The father/ son pairing of Neil and Cameron McMillan scored 2’s on the 1st and 3rd holes.

Sunday’s play was meant to be the Stableford Medley, but tough ground conditions and threatening skies significantly reduced the field. In some results: P Nixon d D Clarke 5/3, D Bayley d F Collie 2/1, A Dukes d T Sharpe 6/5, L O’Connor d M Watts 4/3 and Andy Cogswell d J Zannes on 22nd. Tomorrow is the American Foursomes, and Sunday the Daine Doolin Memorial.

By Short Putt

Young Referee Gains Confidence

July 28, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

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A young indigenous Forbes girl came one step closer to her dream when she was selected to referee at the fourth Nations of Origin Tournament at Raymond Terrace recently. At 15 years of age Shanika Harpur is hard at work to realise a dream of becoming an NRL Referee one day.

As the only representative from Forbes at the tournament held from 12 to 14 July, she honed her refereeing skills and felt her confidence enhanced by the experience. She had to fill in an application and went through a development referee process in order to be picked.

“Bring it on!” was her reaction when she was picked for the Nations of Origin Tournament. The event has been designed to get young Aboriginal and non Aboriginal people involved to promote reconciliation within communities.

Shanika has been a referee for the past two years in the Woodbridge Cup run by the NSW Country Rugby League including all levels of rugby league teams from Burrangong, Canowindra, Cargo, Condobolin, Eugowra, Grenfell, Koorawatha, Manildra, Molong, Peak Hill, Trundle and Woodstock. She attributes her love of refereeing to her Pop, Ron Hocking, who has been a referee for 36 years in Forbes.

Shanika’s next step is to get into the Referees Academy of the Country Rugby League next year to take her performance to the next level. “We are very proud of her,” said Sandra Hocking, Shanika’s Nan and biggest supporter. Shanika said she was getting a lot of support from Willy Barnes of Peak Hill, who is the referee coordinator. “She looks up to him as he has a good attitude with the young ones,” said Sandra.

Netball Comp In Full Swing Again

July 28, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

The Forbes Netball Association (FNA) will play the second last round of the Saturday competition this weekend. The semi-final series will start with minor semis on 6th August, major semis on 13th August, finals on 27th August and the grand finals and presentations on 3rd September.

NetSetGo will be played as normal throughout those Saturdays, and Friday netball will continue through to the grand finals weekend. Any players in the 11 and 13 years age groups who would like to learn to shoot goals, should attend the netball courts at 4:30pm each week. There will be a shooting clinic before the normal Friday netball.

All coaching is free. Parents who would like to learn to umpire should attend at 5:30. Entries for the Spring night competitions for mixed and ladies teams close on 10th August. The first round will be played on 31st August. Orange NA will be holding a Gala Day on 7th August. The FNA will be taking three teams of 11, 10 and 8-9 years (NetSetGo). Anyone interested in playing contact Lyn Ford via email secretary.forbesnetball@gmail.com

The FNA will be hosting, for the first time in the Western region, a Mixed and Men’s Gala Day on 16th October for A Grade (Open competition), B Grade (Under 18), and C Grade (13-15 years) in both the Mixed and Men’s (only) divisions. All players must be financial members on NNSW. This will be an exciting and ground-breaking day for the FNA. Teams will be invited from all parts of NSW.

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