BACK-TO-BACK: Central West Blue Bullettes Women’s Rugby side defend their Thompson Cup NSW Country Rugby Championships titles with an emphatic 35-15 win over Hunter in Tamworth.

They say it’s hard to climb the mountain once but it’s even harder doing it twice and that’s exactly what the Central West Blue Bullettes have done with a resounding 35-15 win over Hunter at Tamworth in the Thompson Cup last weekend. The win backs up the crown NSW Country Rugby Championship trophy the side took home in 2019.

Unlike 2019, the Bullettes did it the hard way. Difficult conditions married with a sea-son impacted by COVID meant that combinations were a little awry early.

But it didn’t take long for the title fancies to find their rhythm.

Forbes duo Amy Townsend and Paulini Lawanikula figured prominently for the Bullettes with the latter playing a hand in the semi-final win over fellow contenders Central Coast 27-5. The tournament continues what has been a strong season for Lawanikula who’s husband Rusi along with Miniti Tonga, Tom Macleay, Mahe Fangupo and Charlie French all lined up from the Forbes Platypi club for Blue Bulls who also had success at the carnival.

Despite the short campaign, the Bullettes stuck to the task and everyone clicked when it mattered.

Bathurst Bulldogs player and captain Mel Waterford was elated with how the unit came together with little notice and the spectre of COVID hanging over the tournament.

“All the players from 1 to 25 played their part and put together excellent performances,” she said.

“Hunter kept us on our toes and sharp all game,” Mel said.

After an excitable start at a frenetic pace, it was Central West who settled first against Hunter, playing the majority of the match in their half and not allowing them into the game. Dominant forward running and some sublime skills from the outside backs eventually proved too much for the Hunter side as Central West ran out 20 point winners in front of a decent Peel Valley crowd.

Forbes Platypi suffered a shock defeat to 2021’s big improvers Cowra Eagles in Cowra on the weekend 36-10 in front of a boisterous home crowd.

The loss has left the Platypi just holding onto second spot on 18 points behind high-flyers Orange Emu’s (24 points) but in a gridlock with Cowra (16 points), Bathurst (15 points) and Dubbo on 14 points heading into their top of the table clash at home this Saturday May 29 in round seven of the Blowes Menswear Cup. Even sixth placed Orange City on 11 points are four points and one good game out of finals contention.

Seconds went down 27-16 in a dogged match against the Eagles as well and will be looking to turn their fortunes around this weekend as well after a mixed run of results. The Women’s side had the bye while the Colts drew 17-all with Dubbo in arguably one the best games of the year.

Forbes play Orange Emu’s this weekend and will be looking to reverse the round two loss in Orange when the ladder leaders triumphed 38-26 at home in a quality game. A win for the Platypi and a double on Orange City the following week will hold the side in good stead as they enter a run of crucial games against other finals contenders Bathurst and Dubbo.

Forbes Platypi First XV have gone down 24-22 to arch enemy Bathurst in the Blowes Menswear Central West Rugby competition.

To compound a tough day for the club, 2nds lost 34-14 and Women’s went down 56-0 while Colts had the bye.

Forbes First XV play Dubbo tomorrow in the May Day for Tracey cancer fundraiser. The following week a return trip to Cowra beckons to begin round two of the Blowes Menswear Central West Rugby competition.

Forbes Platypi XV pipped a gallant Orange City side 25-22 at home in round three of the Blowes Menswear Cup. Seconds had a handy win 40-14 while the Women’s won by forfeit and the Colts were thrashed 52-13. Over the next few weeks the Platypi will face Dubbo and Bathurst in what will give the club a better idea where they sit in sea-son 2021.

RUGBY IS BACK: The Central West Blowes Menswear Rugby Competition returned on the weekend as Forbes battled old foe Cowra in Round 1 at Forbes.

They say “winning starts in the front office” and if last weekend’s Forbes Platypi Rugby Union Club Sponsor’s Day is anything to go by season 2021 is already a win.

From food vendors and a carnival atmosphere to a packed house all there to support local rugby, in ideal conditions – the day was a cracking way to start the new season.

Forbes Platypi 1st Grade side started off their Blowes Menswear Central West Rug-by Union title ambitions with a win for their sponsors over a gallant Cowra side 33-8 in Forbes last weekend.

After a year of little to no local sport, Grinstead Oval was awash with Platypi fans on the weekend in what was a tremendous game that saw the Platypi prove too classy for the 2019 strugglers.

The Platypi, who have been one of the more fancied sides in the competition over recent seasons were expected to make light work of lowly Cowra in firsts and the tale of the tape read as such as Forbes forward pack began to assert its dominance on the scoreboard to go with their glut of possession.

Forbes looked to stamp their authority from the outset again in the second half, never letting their neighbours into the contest with slick set plays and hunger in a pleasing sign before the big trip to Orange to face the Emu’s in what promises to be an exciting tussle between the old arch rivals.

Forbes 2nd Grade meanwhile will be left rueing a raft of missed opportunities in a narrow 17-14 loss to Cowra. Despite the tight defeat, there is plenty of reason for optimism.

In a see-sawing affair where both sides weren’t prepared to give an inch, only a penalty goal separated the two teams after the full-time siren.

MATCH READY: The Forbes Platypi have been playing numerous warm up games and training well ahead of round one’s danger game against Cowra at home this Saturday.

This Saturday, April 17 Forbes Platypi will be holding their annual Sponsors Day but the first since COVID.

Fresh off numerous grades winning in Condobolin for the Brad Ridley Shield, the Platypi follow this Saturday with Ladies Day on May 1, May-Day for Trace on May 15, Charity Day on May 29, Around the World Cocktail Night June 19 and on July 3 there will be an Old Boys Luncheon. It promises to be one of the most jam-packed season’s since the club began 52 years ago in 1968.

Forbes get their season underway this weekend with First Grade starting at 3:15pm at Grinstead Oval, against traditional strugglers Cowra Eagles who like Forbes will be hoping to start 2021 on the right foot.

Forbes draw for 2021 then involves back-to-back games against both Orange sides, a trip to Bathurst then Dubbo before Round 2 on May 22 when the Platypi travel to Cowra.

This year the club will also field Second Grade, Women’s and Juniors/Colts with all grades considered contenders for the title.

Second Grade will also begin their season against Cowra before a trip to Orange against the Emu’s and then Orange City at home. Like Firsts, the Seconds will then play Bathurst and Dubbo to cap the round.

Join the Platypi Army for the 2021 season and come down and cheer on the club. You can also become a social member for $50 and this membership can be purchased against the Emu’s and then Orange City at home. Like Firsts, the Seconds will then play Bathurst and Dubbo to cap the round. Join the Platypi Army for the 2021 season and come down and cheer on the club. You can also become a social member for $50 and this membership can be purchased on the website. Membership includes cap, entry to all home games, members draw, email newsletter and member promotions.

Get down this Saturday and cheer on the Platypi as they begin their tilt at the 2021 Blowes Menswear Central West Rugby Competition.

The Forbes Rugby Club held their Annual Presentation night last week and below is a list of the winners for 2019.

1st XV
• Best Back – Mahe Fangupo
• Best Forward – Luke Evans
• Best and Fairest – Luke Evans
• Squad Coaches Award – Ben Kelly and Jock Grant

2nd XV
• Best Back – Mark Simmonds
• Best Forward – Harry Sellers
• Best and Fairest – Jock Grant
• Coaches Award – Sam Smith

Women’s 10’s
• Best Back – April Townsend
• Best Forward – Amy Townsend
• Best and Fairest – April Townsend
• Coches Award – Emma Evans

Club Awards
• 100 Games for Forbes Rugby Club –Marty Herbert
• Old Boys Award – Luke Evans
• Paul Cronin Cup – Tom “HR” Macleay
• Club Person of the Year – Will Nash
• Player of the Finals (Womens) – LillyannMason-Spice
• Player of the Finals 1st XV – CharlieFrench
• Supporter of the Year (Jasprizza) – MargStirling
• Supporter of the Year (Francis) – JoBurns
• Footballer of the Year – Charlie French