The Parkes Boars celebrate after becoming New Holland Cup Premiers for the third year in a row after beating Mudgee 23-20 on Saturday. (Photo: Allan Ryan)

The mighty Parkes Boars have been named New Holland Cup Premiers for the third year in a row, after a nail-biting 23-20 win over Mudgee in the first grade rugby union grand final on Saturday. 

The Boars had a rollercoaster season, finishing third on the ladder at the end of the regular season. The team worked hard to bring home the silverware, defeating CSU Bathurst and Dubbo Rhinos on the way to the grand final. 

First grade coach Ben Ryan said the team expected the Mudgee Wombats to apply pressure early. “They came out very strong and got an early lead on us,” he said. “But our captain, Christopher ‘Taco’ Parker, and vice-captain, veteran Rory Nock, kept the boys focused and didn’t let the pressure become overwhelming. That allowed us to grind it out for the full 80 minutes and that’s exactly what it took to win.” 

The game lead changed hands several times, with the Boars finding themselves four points down in the dying minutes. A textbook try by Sororpepeli ‘Sorro’ Soqe followed by a successful conversion from the golden boot of Luke Bevan were enough to secure the lead for Parkes with seconds until the buzzer. 

“The last play was a Mudgee kick off and it was frantic, both teams knew they needed to get their hands on the ball at all costs,” said Ben. “Just about everyone who could get under the ball went for it, and fortunately we came away with it after a Mudgee knock on and that was the end of the game. 

“I think a massive thank you has to go to all our families, friends and supporters who wished us luck and those who came over to back us on the day. Going into enemy territory and having a vocal group there supporting you makes a massive difference,” said Ben. 

By Ben & Kimberley Ryan 

LOVE A LONG LUNCH…Phil Prior, Guest Speaker Kerry O’Keeffe and Ian Prior. (Photo: Judith Prior) J

The Forbes Rugby Club’s President’s Lunch returned to South Circle on Saturday after a two-year absence with about 800 guests enjoying a pristine autumn day with a beautiful view on Lake Forbes.

The cricketer Kerry O’Keeffe did an excellent job as guest speaker. “He was fantastic and managed to captivate his audience,” said club president Rhys Woods.

A big part of the event is the auction and this year the seven items raised just over $51,000 of which $7,000 will go to the Peter Murphy Memorial Fund. The club will be supporting Boys to the Bush and the Forbes Men’s Shed from the proceeds this year.

“We are very happy with the event not just for us, but for the whole town, and would like to thank the Forbes Shire Council for all its assistance,” said Rhys.

ayden Scott, Crystal Finch and Lauren Liebich. (Photo: Crystal Finch

COACHES FORUM: Forbes Platypi Colts Manager Paul Shepherd recently returned from the Youth Rugby Coaches Forum in Brisbane where he saw first hand the best and brightest in rugby come together for a two-day conference. Shepherd hopes the experience will help the side in 2022 with Forbes players already back in training. Photos supplied.

New Forbes Platypi Colts Manager Paul Shepherd has recently returned from Brisbane last month after a two-day Coaches Forum.

“The Coaches Forum was aimed at rugby union with speakers including Queensland Reds coach and former All Black, Brad Thorn, Wallaby James O’Connor and numerous academy coaches and recruiters including the Canterbury Crusaders,” said Mr. Shepherd, who along with 2022 coach Guy Turner, are focused on bringing the fun back into the Colts this season after two disrupted years due to COVID.

Other key speakers at the forum included Redcliffe Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett (INSET).

“It was a fantastic experience and really worthwhile for anyone wanting to get into the coaching side of the game,” Paul said.

“There was a lot to take from it, especially how players are trained and treated in today’s game and how we manage that so that junior players continue to enjoy rugby,” he said.

“We have a great bunch of guys who have already started training and are really keen!”

The Forbes Platypi start their season on April 28 in Cowra.

Applications for coaches and managers for the Forbes Platypi 2022 season are now open! After a sudden end to the Central West Blowes Menswear Cup and other competitions across the region, Forbes will look a little different in 2022 with some notable retirees including long-time coach Phil Prior and veteran Andrew Hubbard. While neither stalwart will be lost to the club, Forbes on and off the field will have a new look for the first time in years.

If you are interested make sure you email the club or contact them via their Facebook page before this Sunday October 31st.

Forbes recently celebrated their night of nights with forward Matt Coles taking out Footballer of the Year and Rhys Graham the Paul Cronin Cup – Spirit of the Platypi gong. President Rhys Woods also announced $10,00 had been raised for CanAssist for May Day for Tracey – an outstanding effort by all involved!

After the Central West Junior Rugby Union board decided to end their season early due to recent state-wide lockdowns, major titles were awarded to minor and major premiers where relevant to end the 2021 season.

Due to the decision to end the season taken by both the juniors and seniors, the premierships for each of the grades were awarded to the winners of the major semi-final held at Forbes on August 7.

As a result, our very own Forbes Jun-ior Platypi Under 12’s squad has been crowned the 2021 champions after coming up trumps in their major semi-final, finishing as minor and now major premiers.

The Junior Platypi also had their Under 14’s squad in the finals mix this year, having won their minor semi-final against the Orange Emus.

Despite the fact that they weren’t able to play in the grand final match, the Under 12’s thoroughly deserved the title, having finished the year undefeated for a second successive season.

The Platypi also won the Club Championship after the Under 14s also had a successful campaign, winning their minor-semi.

LONG BUILD UP: The Forbes Platypi First XV have played their last game for the season 2021. See CWRU announcement in Sport.

Earlier this week, the CWRU made the difficult decision to abandon the remaining competitions for this season. The spread of COVID throughout our community is an enormous concern and we believe we have a responsibility to our communities to limit travel and potential infection, the statement said.

“The safety and welfare of our Players and Community are of the utmost importance,” the statement read.

“At this stage, some teams still involved in Finals have not played or trained in over 4 weeks. Furthermore, when Community Sport is allowed to recommence, we have concerns on the extremity of restrictions applied to return to play protocols, training limits, crowd limits etc. It has been determined that Premierships will be awarded,” said the statement.

Blowes Cup Competition Premiers are determined by final ladder positions. Congratulations to the following teams:
• Blowes Cup 1st Grade – Cowra Eagles;
• Blowes Cup 2nd Grade – Orange Emus;
• Blowes Cup 3rd Grade – Orange Emus;
• Blowes Cup Colts – Orange City;
• Westfund Ferguson Cup – Bathurst Bulldogs.

“We would like to thank all Clubs and their volunteers for what has been a challenging last two seasons. We look forward to a more enjoyable experience in Season 2022.”

CRUNCH TIME: The Forbes Platypi First XV will take on third placed Bathurst Bulldogs this weekend in Bathurst in a bid to stay alive in the Blowes Menswear Central West Rugby Championship.

For those who attended the Ronald McDonald House Orange fundraiser at Grinstead Oval in Forbes last Saturday, they would have been given a preview of semi-final football come early when the Forbes Platypi XV held on to beat the Dubbo Kangaroos 29-26 in front of a parochial local crowd in what was their last home game for the season.

Despite the difficult task of now having to win the Blowes Menswear Central West Rugby Championship on the road this sea-son – a feat not beyond the Platypi, it was also the ideal tune up for what lies ahead this weekend when fourth placed Forbes – who finished with a record of seven wins, seven losses and a draw and a neat 0 points differential, take on the Bathurst Bulldogs in Bathurst in a winner-takes-all minor semi-final.

Cowra will host Orange Emus in the major semi after beating them last week 23-12 at home. The winner will progress to a home grand final while the loser will play the winner of Bathurst v Forbes.

Seconds meanwhile will have an off season to ponder where it all went wrong after their year wound up with a fifth placed finish. Despite glimpses of brilliance, the COVID pandemic, a lack of continuity and squad changes made season 2021 a trying one indeed but one the club can still build on.

In brighter news Forbes Junior Rugby Club were confirmed as Central West Junior Rugby Champions for 2021 and hosted the semi-finals over the weekend for Under 12s through to Under 16s. It has been a massive effort from the club.

With the end of season here mark it down in your calendars, the Forbes Rugby Union Club will also hold it’s presentation night on September 3 with more information available closer to the date.