Is this the year of the Platypi?

Forbes has put a stop to Orange City's late charge towards Blowes Clothing Cup glory in the 2024 campaign.

The Platypi First XV dominated the majority of Sunday's contest at Grinsted Oval in the opening round of the competition's finals series.

City closed the gap to 23-17 with two tries in injury time, but Forbes' early work paid off and the Platypi progress to the next round.

Assistant coach Andrew Hubbard was delighted with the win, acknowledging his side's confidence hadn't been high after City had secured wins against competition heavyweights Bathurst Bulldogs and Orange Emus in their run to the finals.

But the hosts started strong in Sunday's minor semi-final, consistently scoring points and establishing a 20-5 lead as the clock wound down.

The Platypi "took the foot off" at the end, and lost Matt Coles with a yellow card, but the work had been done and it paid off.

"It was a good defensive effort from the guys," Hubbard said.

"(It's) Fantastic because our confidence wasn't great - even though we got a good win against Dubbo."

Grinsted Oval got muddy in the middle after rain late in the week, but the majority of the field held up well.

Hubbard credited City with using it to their advantage.

"They kicked into it trying to get out of trouble, and they caught us out with some dropped balls," he said.

Hubbard paid tribute to City for an "incredible" back end to the season, last time Forbes travelled to City the Lions dominated 61-12 in terrible weather conditions.

"I've got no doubt if they won today they could have gone all the way," Hubbard said.

But it's also a sign the Platypi, who are under the leadership this year of inspiring coach Mahe Fangupo as well as the experienced Hubbard and mentor Phil Prior, are finding their feet.

"We're really ramping it up into the semis," Hubbard said, highlighting some of this week's outstanding efforts.

"Matt Coles and Frazer Duff got their head through the line every time they ran a ball.

"Charlie French is dominant in that scrum.

"Freddy Tupou and - when he got the ball - Soro Bainavalu, he was pretty dangerous out there as well."

The Platypi will travel to Bathurst for the preliminary final and take on competition leaders Bathurst Bulldogs, who'll be looking to make good on a 0-7 loss to Orange Emus in the major semi-final.

While the Bulldogs finished the regular season with 13 wins to Forbes' eight, the Platypi did hand them a 28-26 defeat in Round 12.

Hubbard and the team are taking it one week at a time.

"We'll be excited to have Tikoko Noke back next week, we'll try to work him in," he said.

"Hopefully we can give Bulldogs a run for their money and then do the same against Emus."