• Ladies League Tag: Forbes 34 defeated Wellington 4

• Under 18’s: Forbes 32 defeated Wellington 16

• Reserves: Forbes 36 defeated Wellington 16

• First grade: Wellington 30 defeated Forbes 12

THIS WEEK: Forbes v Nyngan @ Spooners Oval, Forbes

Charlie Staines Penrith Panthers have made it seven in a row in a dour struggle against finals hopefuls Newcastle last weekend. While the 24-6 scoreline flattered the Panthers, Staines was impressive again with a number of good touches and defensive reads. This weekend the mountain men take on a resurgent Manly in Bathurst.

Manly are also in good form and are a different side to a month ago when Penrith put them to the sword with Tommy Turbo back from injury.

A big congratulations to Forbes Magpies players Mitch Andrews and Darcy Leadbitter who were selected from the Western Rams Opens and Under 18s respectively for NSW Country. Both have been playing well in 2021 and we wish them luck!

NUMBER ONE: Forbes Magpie junior Charlie Staines and his Penrith Panthers sit alone on top of the NRL ladder after five rounds as the only team undefeated.

It was billed a potential grand final rehearsal and for about 20 minutes it was – until Penrith put their foot to the pedal.

Penrith Panthers made it five games undefeated to start the 2021 season – a first for the club, while Charlies Staines grabbed a double as ladder leaders Penrith smacked the Canberra Raiders 30-10 in Penrith.

Staines, who continues to dine out on the wing, was in everything, including snuffing out tries as well as forcing line drop outs with deft grubber kicks. With Dylan Edwards out and pace to burn as well as experience in the fullback jersey, the Forbes Magpie junior may well find himself in the custodian role yet before the season is out.

The night was also a celebration of the 1991 Panthers grand final winning side lead by Goolagong local and Forbes favourite Royce Simmons. Ironically, Simmons and those Panthers also defeated a star-studded Canberra side that included Mal Meninga, Laurie Daley and Ricky Stuart – the current Raiders coach.

Thirty years on, can Staines and the young Panthers repeat history?

After matching a 102 year old rugby league record last weekend, Charlie Staines Penrith Panthers have put yesterday’s darlings Manly to the sword in an emphatic 46-6 win at Lottoland.

Staines, who was again a big feature in much of Penrith’s attack, had another strong performance for the Panthers on the flank outside new centre three-quarter recruit Paul Momirovski who signed on from Wests Tigers at the beginning of 2021.

The Panthers remain unbeaten after four rounds alongside neighbours and rivals Parramatta however Penrith’s 44 point superior points differential puts them on top of the NRL ladder leading into this Friday night’s key match with fellow contenders the Canberra Raiders. Canberra sit fifth on the NRL ladder and have only had the one blemish to date with a hiccup against a hungry Warriors side two weeks ago.

Yet for Staines and Penrith it’s all about this week and continuing a winning run that has seen the side win 21 of their last 22 games and only allow 16 points against them in four matches so far in 2021.

Up the Panthers!

After somewhat of a try drought, Forbes Magpies junior Charlies Staines scored a try and helped save two others including the matchwinner with Villiame Kikau in Penrith Panthers 12-10 win over the Melbourne Storm. The win leaves the Panthers undefeated alongside neighbours and rivals Parramatta with a game against wooden spoon fancies Manly last night. He also outran the fastest man in league Josh Addo-Carr!

It is a friendly rivalry that has grown over the years and despite a disruptive 2020 and poor weather, the annual Brendon ‘Stubby’ Collits Memorial Day was again a tremendous success and a credit to both clubs.

The last two challenges had resulted in draws meaning this year had some extra tension despite the friendly atmosphere and it was Pats who got the chocolates with a grafting 28-22 win at Spooners Oval in front of a bumper crowd.

For Forbes coach Cameron Greenhalgh it was a great hit-out for his troops ahead of a big 2021 season. With many having had a long break from the game, the return of messrs Ben Maguire, Hayden Bolam and Mitch Andrews along with Nick Greenhalgh has been welcomed making the Magpies a force to be reckoned with in 2021.

In other games on the day, St. Pats Women’s League Tag dominated Forbes while the 18s showed why they will be a genuine threat this season with a resounding win. As for the 21s last Saturday’s contest against Bathurst St Pat’s was the final competition round for the new 21s, with the semi-finals of the six-side competition to follow.

Between rep footy, trials, memorial days and more it’s great to see the crowds back at Spooners Oval for rugby league. After a disruptive 2020, the Magpies are looking good from juniors to firsts and should be more than competitive this year. We will watch with interest. Up the Magpies!

Penrith Panthers have won their second straight game with an impressive 28-0 win over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs keeping their opponents scoreless for the second week in a row and matching a 102 year old record in the process. In soggy conditions at Bankwest Stadium, the Panthers were never headed with Forbes junior Charlie Staines having a mixed game with some handling errors in the wet conditions tempered by outstanding defence. On Thursday Staines and the young Panthers play defending premiers Melbourne Storm at home in the grand final rematch.