The Forbes Magpies will turn their attention to the Parkes Nines tournament this weekend after defeating Bathurst St Patricks 38-16 in the Brendan Collits Memorial Cup. It was a brave effort by all players who took to the field, with the mercury reaching a sweaty 37 degrees.
But with the temperature only expected to hit 26 degrees on Saturday for the Parkes tournament, Magpies President Greg Grogan said it wouldn’t be as exhausting for the players. “It was ridiculous how hot it was last Saturday [against Bathurst],” he said. “The players did so well to get through
that and play how they did, and hopefully it’ll be much cooler at the Nines in Parkes.”
“Jake Grace [Magpies coach] will take a squad of 15 over there, and whilst Nines is a completely different form of the game, it’ll be a good test of fitness and keeping possession.”
The Magpies will need to win at least two games to make the Parkes Nines finals, and will be confident after showing great form at the West Wyalong knockout competition a fortnight ago, and the Brendan Collits Memorial Cup last week.
They raced out to a 26-4 half time lead in the heat against Bathurst St Patricks at Spooner Oval, and showed plenty of ability with the ball and their fitness levels. The game was played in 20-minute quarters due to the heat, and finished with a jersey auction in the clubhouse after full time.
Grogan said coach Grace was happy with the effort his players put in. “It was very hot, but the players dug deep and got through it pretty well. It was a hard
game, but it was played in good spirit. Both teams had some players out to injury too,” he said.
The Magpies wore a one-off jersey during the game that commemorated the late Brendan Collits, and auctioned these off after the game as a fundraiser. “The Bathurst boys were good enough to buy a few, and we thank them for their generosity.
They said they would use them in their new clubhouse that is getting built,” Grogan said. The curtain-raising women’s league tag match between Forbes and Bathurst was abandoned due to serious injury. A Bathurst player was airlifted to hospital after falling awkwardly upon scoring a try, but is reportedly in a good condition.
By Joshua Matic