With seven players backing up from Saturday’s Western carnival at Dubbo, the Magpies fought back from a half-time deficit to win the round four clash at Larkin Oval. 

“It was a bloody good win over there,” Merritt said.

“Somebody said it was our first at Nyngan for probably two or three years, and it was a big effort from the boys,” he said.

Forbes took close to a full squad to Nyngan, but seven had represented Group 11 the previous day, and several first grade bench players had earlier lined up for the reserves team (beaten 20-14).

Merritt said he would not have been surprised if his team were a bit lack-lustre but they ‘backed up’.

“It was a big effort from the whole squad really - everybody backed up. We had seven at the [Western] cluster carnival and to play 2-3 games on Saturday and to turn around and go over [to Nyngan] is a tough ask and it was a huge club effort,” he said.

Front rowers Ben Maguire (players’ player) and Ben Robinson gave excellent performances, Merritt said, while Jake Grace and Carl Johnson were also strong.

Earlier the Magpies won the juniors clash, 36-12, and also won a thrilling League Tag encounter 12-10.

Merritt said the women’s team were enjoying good support from the Magpies faithful, and starting to find their rhythm.

“They got beaten by a pretty red hot Westside team in the first week but since then they’ve had two good wins. They’re really starting to build it up now,” he said.