Platypi in final

The Platypi defeated a determined Cowra Eagles 33-20 at Grinsted Oval last Saturday to book their place in Central West Rugby’s 2014 finals, while Bathurst also won their round 18 match to finish fourth, avoiding a trip to Grinsted Oval for the knock-out semi.

Platypi coach Phil Prior said while the result ultimately didn’t matter, it was nice to finish the home-and-away rounds with victory.

As the Forbes coach predicted, sixth placed Cowra were certainly not a push-over, matching the Platypi try-for-try for most of the game.

“We turned off and on a fair bit, but we did enough to win the game,” Prior said yesterday.

“We knew they would be [competitive]” he said. “They always turn up to play against a close rival but adrenalin can only last so long and I think we just wore them down in the end.”

Forbes jumped to a 7-0 lead on Saturday with Jarrod Hall scoring under the posts but Cowra hit back quickly with a try down the left wing to John Clack.

Jeff Stewart put Forbes ahead 14-5 when he charged down and regathered Cowra’s clearing kick to score under the posts, but the Eagles led at half-time after a try and a penalty goal, both from Forbes indiscretions.

The Platypi had the crowd cheering with an enterprising try early in the second stanza, with Simon Flynn taking a high Cowra kick and finding wing Cooper Lyneham and fullback Graeme Crapper in support, and the home team were back in front 21-15.

Kyle Sharpe gave Forbes a handy margin when he barged over following a penalty against the Eagles, and in the very next play, Platypi skipper James King scored in the corner, putting the result beyond doubt.

A late Cowra try cut the margin to 13 points but the Platypi had done enough to record their 11th win.

Prior was yesterday philosophical about travelling to Bathurst for the semi-final.

“I guess it would have been nice to have a home semi, but at the end of the day we were going to be walking the tightrope regardless,” he said.

He was encouraged by the continued improvement among his team.

“Our set pieces are still improving. Our scrums were good again and our lineouts were better, and I think if your set pieces are strong you can set a game plan around that.”

Also pleasing the coach, wing Cooper Lyneham was voted best on ground for the winners on Saturday, while another colts player Martin Herbert made his first grade debut.

“He’s certainly a front rower for the future… it’s good for the club,” Prior said.

Cowra forfeited to Forbes in colts on Saturday while the Platypi seconds were emphatic winners, 62-12.

Central West Rugby results for Saturday, August 16:

BLOWES CLOTHING CUP:

FIRST GRADE: Bathurst Bulldogs 40 def CSU Bathurst 25, Orange Emus 33 def Orange City 21, Dubbo 48 def Mudgee 7, Forbes 33 def Cowra 20, Narromine 38 def Parkes 5.

SECOND GRADE: Bathurst Bulldogs 20 def CSU Bathurst 11, Orange City 28 def Orange Emus 14, Forbes 62 def Cowra 12, Parkes 15 def Narromine 0, Dubbo def Mudgee by forfeit.

THIRD GRADE: Bathurst Bulldogs24 def CSU Bathurst 23, Orange City 25 def Orange Emus 0.

COLTS: Bathurst Bulldogs 17 def CSU Bathurst 0, Orange City 35 def Orange Emus 13, Parkes 34 def Narromine 0, Dubbo def Mudgee by forfeit, Forbes def Cowra by forfeit.

GRAINCORP CUP:

NORTHERN: Grand final: Dubbo Rhinos 19 def Yeoval 14.

SOUTHERN: Major semi-final: Molong 36 def Condobolin 7; Minor semi-final: Blayney 15 def Grenfell 0.