RUGBY UNION
Forbes junior rugby sides are grand final bound, with both the Under 16s and Under 14s turning in strong preliminary final performances to book their places in Bathurst this Saturday.
Despite injury challenges, the Under 16s showed grit and smarts to overcome Orange City 29-17, while the Under 14s delivered a commanding 59-12 victory over the Mudgee Wombat Blues.
Both results set up blockbuster deciders against Dubbo Roos Blue, with Forbes determined to settle old scores after recent close encounters.
Under 16s Coach Andrew Glasson said the Under 16s showed up expecting a tight tussle after a few of those against this side during the season, and they were ready.
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"We've had some significant injuries in the past month which has left quite a number of players unavailable, however we played a smart game of football," Glasson said.
Despite unavailability due to injury, Forbes' Under 16s played smart football to secure a 29-17 preliminary final win over Orange City to earn their place in this weekend's decider.
Coach Andrew Glasson said the Under 16s showed up expecting a tight tussle after a few of those against this side during the season, and they were ready.
"We've had some significant injuries in the past month which has left quite a number of players unavailable, however we played a smart game of football," Glasson said.
Forbes was applying plenty of pressure to City's line early, with Orange defending successfully.
But the side didn't give in to frustration and they were rewarded for their efforts when Mac Glasson made half a break and offloaded to Ash Kennedy who crossed to put Forbes on the board leading 5-0.
Forbes kept the play in the middle of the field or Orange City's half, and created the opportunity for their second try through Thompson Hurford to lead 12-0.
Eventually a mistake from a Forbes line-out saw the Orange City breakaway bust through a couple of tackles and score out wide just before half time.
Again the Forbes boys kept their heads and they opened the second half well, soon extending their lead with a penalty goal.
From there, Bobby Mundy scored off a well-worked backs move and the conversion made the score 22-5.
City's speedster made a break out wide and scored, the conversion narrowing the gap to 22-12.
The game was opening up but Forbes was displaying some really good scrambling and on line defence, notably from Walter Raileigh and the forwards.
Then a chip and chase from Thompson Hurford - within Forbes' own 22 - saw him run 60m to score under the posts for Forbes to lead 29-12.
A late try to Orange City narrowed the gap again but it was Forbes who had earned a grand final berth,
Coach Andrew Glasson said they hope to welcome a couple of players back to the line-up for the grand final, making the road trip to Bathurst this Saturday.
Forbes' Under 16s take on Dubbo Ross Blues, who they've been battling it out against throughout this season.
The young Platypi ended the regular season minor premiers only to have Roos win the major semi-final on their home ground, so they'll be looking to settle that score this weekend.
"It's been an outstanding season either way," Glasson said.
Pre-season began with just 12 players but the boys rallied and recruited. They've introduced new players to the game and they're working well together.
"We've played games with 12 players, we've played games with 22 players," Glasson said.
"They're just a really good bunch of boys that have given it everything they can."
Under 14s
Forbes' Under 14s dominated their preliminary final, running out 59-12 winners over the Mudgee Wombat Blues at Parkes.
Tom Vonthien ran in four tries for the victory, and Eli Bowden-Boland scored three tries and kicked five goals. Ollie Hazell and Ned Glasson added a try apiece for the impressive total final score.
Manager Matt Hazell and coach Randall Grayson have been working with the 24-strong squad all season, looking to bring them together into the team they can be.
Tom Vonthien, Thomas Johnson, Eli Bowden-Boland and Ollie Hazell all played for Central West this season, and Amelia Grayson and Daisy Rice were selected for the Central West girls under 14s.
From there, Vonthien and Johnson went on to earn NSW Country selection, with Johnson also named vice captain of the side.
Their squad blends experience with new energy and regional talent.
About one third of the players were in Forbes' Under 14s in 2024, another third have stepped up from the club's under 12s, and the rest are new additions - including boarders at Red Bend and players travelling in from Cowra, Parkes, Canowindra, Grenfell, Caragabal and Quandialla.
Saturday's success sets up a grand final meeting with Dubbo Roos Blue this weekend in Bathurst.
The two sides are no strangers: Forbes edged out Roos 29-27 in a nail-biter earlier this season, before Roos turned the tables in the major semi-final with a late surge to win.
The team for the grand final is 1 Brock Schulz 2 Jock Townsend 3 Archie Hogben 4 Austin Smyth 5 Ben Lister 6 Alex Wright 7 Tom Johnson (Captain) 8 Tom Vonthien 9 Nick Green 10 Ned Glasson 11 Charlie Wallder 12 Amelia Grayson 13 Eli Bowden-Boland 14 Harry Quade 15 Ollie Hazell 16 Spencer Douglas 17 George Troth 18 Lucy McFadyen 19 Daisy Rice 20 James Oborn 21 Max Osborne 22 Jack Protheroe 23 Hugh Crothers 24 Ned Osborne.
This Saturday's Under 14s grand final will kick off at 10.50am, with Forbes looking to turn promise into silverware.
Don your blue and head to Bathurst this Saturday to cheer on our junior Platypi!
