Forbes Magpies have moved into outright third on the Group 11 ladder with one round to go after a nailbiting win over Parkes Spacemen.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It was clear both sides wanted the win at Spooner Oval on Sunday, and there were times when the visitors held a clear lead.
But the Magpies made a second half charge to secure the points as well as the Brendon “Stubby” Collits Memorial trophy.
Magpies club president Greg Grogan congratulated both sides for a “brilliant” game of football that kept fans waiting after the full-time bell.
The visitors opened the scoring for a 6-0 lead, Forbes’ Jesse Wighton responded to even the scores at 6-6.
Matt Roylance added more points for the host side to take the lead, but Parkes’ Joe Dwyer responded in kind for 10-10.
Joe Dwyer made it a quick double and Sam Dwyer scored too for Parkes to have a convincing 20-10 lead.
Jesse Wighton scored his second for the day to bring Forbes back to 20-14 going into the half time break.
Parkes opened the second half on the attack, grabbing the ball from their own kick and charging to their try-line.
Forbes held them out but they came back quickly, Cameron Standen scoring in the corner to lead 24-14 three minutes into the second half.
The scoreboard didn’t move for 10 tense minutes, it was Jason Hoswell who broke through in the corner and Jarrod Nicholson added the extras for 24-18.
Forbes kept Parkes on the defensive for a time, then the Spacemen pushed play back down to their end. Fans had hopes the visitors had scored, but there was no whistle from the referee.
Magpies captain coach Jake Grace gained a lot of ground with a run down the sideline, setting his side up for a third Jesse Wighton try.
Nicholson’s conversion gave Forbes a 30-24 lead with less than eight minutes on the clock.
Parkes pushed hard but Forbes’ defence held until – with just five seconds left on the clock – Joe Dwyer crossed for his third.
All eyes were on the kicker who had a tough job from the sideline, the kick was waved away and Forbes celebrated a 30-28 victory.
“I wouldn’t have swapped you places for the world,” Grace said to the Spacemen’s kicker after the game. “Keep your head up.”
The first grade game capped off a terrific day of football at Spooner Oval.
The Forbes Magpies lost 12-10 to Parkes Spacecats and now share second place on the ladder with Dubbo Westside.
Forbes’ under 18s won a thrilling game from 16-all with just 15 minutes of play remaining.
Parkes dominated reserve grade 0-38.
