First it was union and now junior rugby league has fallen victim to COVID-19 with the Group 11 Lachlan District Junior Rugby League executive voting to pull the pin on season 2021.

In a statement from the LDJRL, most clubs agreed that for the health and safety of the players and communities the rest of the 2021 season shouldn’t go ahead.

President Mark Whitla said in a statement that the LDJRL were disappointed not to be able to continue, but reinforced it was the right decision to keep everyone safe.

Whitla indicated that the league won’t be announcing premiers, but did say they would acknowledge individuals in each grade as recognition for those who had excelled.

Forbes has two junior clubs – Forbes Magpies and Red Bend College both impacted by the decision and who were both enjoying a successful 2021 season until its cancellation.

Under 16s were most impacted by the decision while other age groups were also at the nitty gritty end of a stop-start season.

It wasn’t pretty and the rust was obvious among a handful of returners but Forbes favourite NRL team the Penrith Panthers clawed their way to a scratchy 30-16 victory over the Wests Tigers in Redcliffe.

As the sides traded tries in the opening 20 minutes, new recruit Tevita Pangai Junior in only his second game for the club, barged over to give the Panthers a vital 12-6 lead at the main break. The former Bronco knocked over three would-be tacklers in an inspirational run that gave Penrith the shot in the arm it needed.

Within three minutes of the resumption, mecurial five-eighth Jerome Luai strolled through some brittle defence and when Vilame Kikau forced his way across after 50 minutes the score was beginning to blow out.

A try to Origin winger Brian To’o who was back for the first time since an ankle injury, was enough to see off the Tigers who battled until the end with two consolation tries of their own. For Penrith, the win means they are now equal with Melbourne on top of the ladder with a derby against Parramatta beckoning to finish the regular season.

Forbes Ferrari Charlie Staines Penrith Panthers were humbled by title rivals and defending premiers Melbourne Storm last Sunday in a COVID rescheduled and contentious game in Brisbane.

With Penrith missing five Origin reps (Cleary, Yeo, To’o and Koraisau) as well as new short-term signing Tevati Pangai Jr, Kiwi prop James Fisher-Harris and Tyrone May – it was always going to be a tall order for the NRL’s youngest side to beat a full strength inform Storm team.

As gallant as the Panthers were, the Storm were far too classy (and lucky) winning 37-10 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. The Craig Bellamy lead side ran in six tries to two flexing their premiership muscle over the Panthers yet mindful that titles aren’t won in August but they can be lost. Penrith will now welcome back some troops for this Saturday against the Roosters while sweating on the outcome of numerous incidents from the weekend’s loss.

With both sides having won once each against each other this season, it sets up a potentially exciting third game which may yet be in the 2021 decider and a 2020 GF rematch. Should that happen, the Forbes Ferrari may just return with a premiership ring.

For the second week in a row, the Penrith Panthers did it the hard way against less-favoured opposition. This time it was cellar dwellers to Brisbane Broncos who they outlasted 18-12 to remain in equal first with Melbourne going into this Saturday night’s blockbuster.

A tryless first half saw only a penalty goal and a Dylan Edwards 40m two-point field goal separate the sides as Penrith went to the main break with a narrow and unconvincing 4-0 lead. The Broncos were arguably the better of the two sides and both teams were unlucky to have tries disallowed one of which was Staines.

Yet despite the effectiveness of Brisbane’s stalling tactics and the sloppy conditions, one always had the feeling that if Penrith were to click it would be very difficult for an underwhelming Brisbane side to negate. That’s exactly what the Panthers did to start the second half.

Tries to To’o and Forbes junior Staines (off arguably the flick pass of the season from Stephen Crichton) and suddenly the mountain men had an 18-0 lead with 20 to play. Not to be deterred, Brisbane dug deep, narrowing the margin to just six with five minutes remaining.

While Penrith were able to repel the Broncos coach Ivan Cleary must surely be concerned with the record 66 missed tackles his side allowed against a team running second last. As good as Cleary, Yeo and co are who are out, if Penrith defend like that come Saturday, the Storm will be far less merciful.

With Nathan Cleary expected to return, Isaah Yeo to undergo HIA tests and the possibility of former NSW player Tevita Pangai Jr also lacing up for the Panthers, this weekend’s grand final rematch might well be the game of the season!

This Sunday July 18 against a desperate New Zealand Warriors looms as a danger game for Forbes Magpies junior Charlie Staines and his Penrith Panthers who have been forced to move to the Sunshine Coast bubble after NSW deals with another COVID outbreak.

Coming off a thrilling 13-12 win against a bold Parramatta Eels last round, Penrith will be forced to do it without a number of Origin stars including halves Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai. Yet Penrith seem to relish these challenges.

In a 12-10 win over the Storm nearly three months ago and again two weeks ago against the Eels, Penrith got the job done without Cleary and against the Eels without Luai and Edwards as well. It is the kind of luxury of depth most teams can only dream about but it means nothing come Sunday for Charlie and company if they can’t hold out a Warriors team running out of time to make a September run.

The following week sees Penrith take on Brisbane before a mouthwatering rematch with Melbourne on July 31 in Melbourne in a game where Cleary, Luai and co are expected to return.