Sports Archives - Page 152 of 160

FNA Finals Hopefuls

March 17, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

The Forbes Netball Association State League open division two side has an eye on the finals after two wins last Sunday in Orange.

Coach Robyn Kenny said she was very happy with the effort her girls put in to come away with wins over Cowra and Cobar, and a close loss to the unbeaten Bathurst. They will enter that second and final round of the State League back in Orange this Sunday before qualifying for the finals.

They finished round one in third position on the ladder. To make the finals they will need to finish within the top four at the end of Sunday, and have powerhouses Orange and Dubbo in their first two matches of the day.

But Kenny said their form of last weekend should see them make the finals. “Everyone was happy with the effort. I think we can beat both Dubbo and Orange. Bathurst will be the biggest challenge for us if we make the finals,” she said.

Magpies Prepare for Memorial Cup After First Hit-Out

March 10, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

The Forbes Magpies have turned their attention to the annual Brendon Collits Memorial Cup after a solid outing at the West Wyalong knock-out competition last weekend.

In 2013 former Magpies player Collits was tragically killed in a car accident while on his way to training, and since the incident, the fixture has been played in his memory.

They will play Bathurst in the game, and should enter it with plenty of confidence after almost taking the West Wyalong competition. After losing to the Young Cherrypickers 22-12 last Friday night, they beat the Queanbeyan Kangaroos 8-6, before losing to Gundagai 14-10 in extra time after the
scores were locked at 10-a-piece at fulltime.

Gundagai went on to win the grand final in the next match. Magpies President Greg Grogan said the side played well in its first hit-out of the year.

“They played very well considering they’re only a young side,” he said. “We had a few injuries, but the competition [Group 11] doesn’t start until the end of
April, so they should be alright.” “It was only a trial though. The competition-
it’s a long year, and anything can happen.” Jake Grace is captaining and coaching the side this year.

The side will field a very strong forward pack this year, with Grace joined by Zack Merritt, Ben Robinson, Ben McGuire, and Ethan Gaffney. The backline is not too much more unformidable either, with Matt Roylance, Carl Johnston, Mitch Bourke, Mitch Andrews and Patrick Murphy steering the team
around the paddock.

Grogan said the club would look at moving forward from a great year last year, when it won the Club of the Year award for having all four grades represented in the semi finals. “Everybody made the semis which was a great achievement,” he said.

“Hopefully we can improve in the first grade side so we last a bit longer in the
finals. But the main thing is to improve and keep competitive. That’s what the supporters want to see.”

Par Golf to Win Medal

March 10, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

On Saturday 5 March the play was for the Monthly Medal, sponsored by Michael Robinson and Co. The field of 45 players meant that there was greater opportunity to win, but you still needed to deliver. But the best score barely broke Par.

In the A-grade Shane Sallaway used this day to fine tune his Pennants game, winning with 72 nett. Bruce Carpenter was Runner-up with 74, and wished he had not faltered on the 4th with a ‘7’.

Sunday was the regular Stableford Medley. The sunny conditions were welcoming, but the temperatures were quite stifling leading, to a small field. The winner was Joe Davies (P) with 27 points, although it was a near thing as he got there on count back from Roy Bell (P).

They both enjoyed the Forbes excursion. Ron Hurst (F) was back on deck and quickly into his winning ways, although this time it was for the Bradman award.

The Mick Miller shield was a very close contest. The prodigal son, Digit, used his score to get Forbes across the line with 149 points to Parkes 147. Close contests like that are not good for the heart.

And here is the news:
Unfortunately our Pennants teams ran into strong opposition. On Sunday 6 March, both the Div 1 and Div 2 teams played at Duntryleague.
And unfortunately they both lost 3/2. Each team had close encounters with
the result hinging on one game. Well done to all players, and we shall look forward to 2017.

Andrew Dukes keeps the Hole-in-One tradition in the Forbes ASI Capital Sixes comp alive by recording a Hole-in-One on the 3rd. This is the third Hole-in-One scored this comp.

Geoff Drane got his photo in the paper for his efforts in the Diggers Swimming Pup Cup. Unfortunately, he tried to match his slow, lanquid swim stroke to his golf game, but fell way behind his handicap mark because there was no bell for the last lap.

Revel in this warmer weather, as winter will soon be upon us.

Forbes Defeats Parkes In Junior Cricket Grand Final

March 3, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

The Forbes U/14’s Cricket Team, who were undefeated for the competition, maintained their record with a win over Parkes in the Lachlan Cricket Council Grand Final on Sunday. Forbes went into bat first and scored 10 for 96.

Although this seems like a relatively low score, Forbes’ bowlers have been their strength for the entire season. The versatility of the Forbes bowling line up kept the Parkes batsman on their toes and runs were not easy to come by.

Forbes had Parkes all out for 68 with four overs remaining. Stuart Gordan & Luke McDean were the top scorers with 21 runs each and continued their form on the wicket with Luke 4/7 off 8 overs and Stuart 3/9 off 6. Darcy Leadbitter also bowled well with 1/9 of 8 overs closely followed by Connor Greenhalgh with 0/16 from 8 overs and Toby Hurford 0/3 from 6 overs.

Congratulations to both teams for an entertaining game and displaying great sportsmanship

Drane Claims 2015 SOTY Award

March 3, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Tom Drane is a promising Young Motorbike Rider, who at the age of only 9 years of age won the 2015 Forbes Sportsperson of the Award on Saturday night. Although there have been many juniors, including his own father Matt in 2000 & 2001, Tom is the youngest to have won this award. Tom’s natural talent for the sport, enabling him to win State and National Titles in 2015, obviously impressed the independent judging panel who selected him from a huge pool of worthy nominees.

Juniors dominated the awards on Saturday night with Aurella White – Umpire/Referee/Official of the Year, Ellie Flick – All Rounder, Brooke Kelly – Phillip Adams Encouragement and Darcy Leadbitter – Runner-Up. Junior Sportsperson of the Year was won by Fyn Harrison with Darcie Morrison taking out the Senior category.

Harness Racing Duo Jason Gaffney & Murray Sullivan Jnr also featured in the
presentation with Jason Coach/Trainer of the Year and Murray receiving the Presidents Award. Kristen’s Dance Studio Open Dance Troupe took out the Team honours and the Forbes Magpies Rugby League Committee claimed the Administration Award. A humbled and shocked Sue Uphill was a popular winner of the Terry Wade Memorial Award for her many years of volunteer
service in a variety of organisations within the community.

Australian Rugby 7’s player, Tom Cusack was very impressed with the achievements of all of the nominees but in particular the winners. Tom enlightened the crowd, in excess of 120, of the pathways he followed to
get to the position he is in today and of his plans for the future.

The Forbes Sportsperson of the Year Association will be holding their Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 22nd March at the Forbes Sport & Recreation Club commencing at 6.30pm and invite interested people to come along and join the committee so that they can continue to recognise and reward the our local sporting heroes. Nomination for the 2016 Awards are now open and you are encouraged to submit nominations at any time throughout the year.

Baas, Styles, Reid & Hutchings Take Out The Pup Cup 2016

March 3, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Sam Baas, Matt Styles, Jarrod Reid and Luke Hutchings were on the money on
Sunday when they swam 0.52 seconds outside their nominated times for the 4 x 50m Relay to secure the 2016 Pup Cup. In its 23rd year, the Pup Cup is the last major event on the calendar for Forbes Diggers Swimming Club, and still attracts its regular crowd on participants and supporters.

Swimmers aged from as young as 5 years to as experienced as 80 years took to the water to swim closest to their nominated times for the 30m & 50 m Handicapped events and then nominated team of four for the Pup Cup Relay. Fourteen teams contested the Pup Cup and the winners were extremely pleased with their results.

Newcomer, Lauren Neilsen won the 30m Junior Handicap with Liam Borger securing the 50m. Senior swimmers Matt Styles and Peter Thompson claimed the 30m & 50m handicap respectively.

Australian Rugby 7’s player, Tom Cusack who was guest speaker for the Forbes
Sportsperson of the Year Awards, joined in the friendly competition and was on hand to present the 30 & 50m winners with their prizes.

Organiser Credits Athleticism in Successful Triathlon

February 25, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Forbes Triathlon committee member Nick Field has credited the athletes on display at last Sunday’s triathlon, saying their athleticism made for a great spectacle.

A record 150 competitors raced around Lake Forbes during the event, across the three divisions of Olympic, Sprint, Enticer, and Minors. The Olympic division was the main part of the event, and male athlete Nicholas North
took it out in the men’s division.

He ran across the finish line a clear winner by seven minutes, with an overall time of two hours and 36 seconds. He was able to win, individually, the swimming, and came a photo finish second in the cycling, but was beaten in the running by an inspired Robert Woolley, who ran the 10km in just 33 minutes.

Field said North was a very strong athlete in all three disciplines, but it was his 1500m swim in just 19 minutes that got him his win. “He got out to a very, very early lead in the swim and lead all the way. He could have been two to three hundred metres in front at the end of the first leg,” he said.

“He was two minutes ahead. It was a very impressive swim leg for him. But also on the bike, he was second, and second in the run. He’s an outstanding athlete.”

With just a couple of minutes separating most athletes in their finishing times, Field said the standard of racing was second to none. “For some of the locals learning the sport, they were in awe of some of the calibre of the athletes,” he said.

Jessica Richards took out the senior women’s division, finishing at two hours and 16 minutes, including an amazing 40km cycle in one hour and three minutes- beating most of the men. “She beat some of the top blokes on the bike, averaging about 36km/h. It’s amazing,” Field said. Field also thanked all the volunteers on the day, for which the event could not happen without.

SOYA Awards

February 25, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

The Forbes Sportsperson of the Year Association (SOYA) are delighted with the quality of the nominations they have received for the 2015 Awards with the Annual Presentation Dinner to be held on Saturday 27th February at the Forbes Sport & Recreation Club commencing at 6.30pm.

The Forbes SOYA is a small yet hard working committee dedicated to recognising and celebrating the accomplishments of our local sports men and women as well as administrators and officials. Sport is an important part of life and the awards are an opportunity to pay tribute to the athletes
who excel in their chosen sport and thank and show appreciation to the many volunteers who give their time to ensure that children and adults of all ages have access to some of the best sporting facilities and competitions in New South Wales.

The awards being contested include the Junior and Senior Sportsperson, All
Rounder, Coach/Trainer, Referee/Umpire/Official, Administrator, Team and of course the Forbes Sportsperson and Runner Up for 2015. The overall winner of the Central West Credit Union Monthly Achievers Award will also be announced on the night along with the President’s Award, Phillip Adams Encouragement Award, Merit Awards, School & Special Sports Awards.

The calibre of the nominations received for all the awards was of a very high standard making the job of the independent judging panel extremely difficult.

The SOYA Awards would not be possible without the generous support of our local businesses, allowing Forbes to be one of the last country towns in New South Wales who host a separate sporting awards ceremony. Congratulations to all nominees and the SOYA committee look forward to seeing you, your families and the nominated sporting organisations join us when the 2015
winners are announced.

Close Victory in Two-Person Ambrose

February 25, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

On Saturday 20 Feb the Mens competition was a 2-Person Ambrose.
The Winners were Andrew Dukes and Daniel Bayley, who combined well to shoot 4-under for each 9-holes. They pulsed well as Andrew had most of the drives on the front-9 while Daniel had the drives on the back-9.

The Runners-up contest needed a count back to resolve the deadlock. Peter Dawson and Terry Sharpe finished 5-under par to be a smidgeon behind the Parkes pairing of Peachy Dixon and Cranky Kelly on 66, but the Dawson/Sharpe handicap got the win.

Sunday was the regular Stableford Medley. The sunny and hot conditions presented a challenge, but a few looked upon this as sheer bliss. There were even visiting players from Parkes who came to watch the Pennants and play a round after it. Ray Taylor recaptured some of his touch on the green, rolling in a few bombs to help him to a winning score of 35, on countback.

The ever steady Bruce Carpenter also had 35 points, but was less tidy on the back-9. And here is the news:
Last Sunday had mixed fortunes for the Pennants teams. Div 2 and Div 4 played, with a win to the Div 2 and a loss to the Div 4. The heroes for Forbes this week were Kim Herbert and Dave Mylecharane (demolishing
their opponents in Div 2), and Richard Smith and Jim McLuckie – battling
to the very end without due reward. All divisions play at Parkes this Sunday.

We are pleased to see Barry Parker back on the golf course. He may be a bit slower at present, but on the course he can still drive true and be heard by everyone playing. And Ron Morris is doing well after his operation. And perhaps a final word about milestone birthdays. Happy birthday to Scott Kirkman for tomorrow, when he celebrates 60 years.

Swing easy and let it all flow.

Contributed by Short Putt

Six and Not Out

February 25, 2016 by Maggi Barnard

Talis Hurfurd made history recently when
he hit the first 6 for a cricketer of his age.
Talis plays in the U/12’s division in the local
cricket competition as well as representing
Forbes in the Lachlan Representative
team. Talis’ big hit is the first 6 achieved in
his age group for both competitions. Troy
and Hayley Hurford along with brothers
Corey and Toby were excited with Talis’
achievement and were the first ones to
congratulate him.
Cricketing talent obviously runs in the
Hurford family with older brother Toby also
making a name for himself in local and representative
cricket circles. Toby plays in the
U/14’s age division and is part of the Forbes
side that will take on Parkes in the Grand
Final this weekend. Last week the undefeated
U/14’s took on Dubbo in the Lachlan
Cricket Council Competition and drew with
these worthy opponents. The ladder board
position secured them the place in the final
game of the competition.
Toby, along with Darcy Leadbitter, represented
the region well on the 14th of February
when they defeated Mitchell, a team
consisting of players from Orange, Bathurst
and surrounding areas in the Grand
Final of the Western Country Zone Junior
Competiton.

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