Forbes Platypi and Bathurst Bulldogs both have plenty of reasons to want to win this weekend, the penultimate round of 2017 rugby union competition.
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The Forbes club celebrates its 50th season with a gala ball on Saturday night - and would love to be anticipating a home semi final after a big day at their home ground.
The Platypi share second position on the Blowes Clothing Cup ladder with Dubbo Roos, but the Roos have a tough contest in Orange Emus this weekend.
If Forbes wins and the Roos lose, Forbes would leap frog into second place.
The Bulldogs, in fourth place, would also love to step up into that coveted position with the win.
Whatever happens on field, the Forbes Platypi will have plenty to reminisce about as members and players look back over the 50 years of the club’s history at the Forbes Inn on Saturday night.
The dress code for the evening is cocktail with a touch of the club’s colour – blue.
But first, the footy.
Preparing for this weekend's big anniversary celebrations, the club's Phil Prior is hoping it all goes their way.
"We’re quietly confident but we do have a lot of hard work to do," Prior said. "We did suffer a massive blow this week, Andrew Hubbard is out."
The veteran second rower is out for health reasons and Prior said the club certainly wishes him a speedy recovery, they'd love to see him back in coming weeks.
It was Forbes who ended Bulldogs’ premierships hopes last season, posting an 18-9 win in the preliminary final, while the Platypi were the first side this season to beat Bathurst. That was a 27-17 victory in round eight.
Long Walk for Lungs starts Monday
The Forbes Rugby Club is a big supporter of the Long Walk for Lungs, which starts in Narromine on Monday.
At the Platypi’s last home game, the first grade side wore Batman jerseys which were auctioned off and raised $12,000 for the Lung Foundation Australia in support of the cause.
Long Walk for Lungs eventuated as a result of AGnVet Services’ Bill Van Nierop being diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IBP) in 2015.
Bill has a long history with Forbes rugby – as State manager for Cropcare during years that company sponsored local rugby.
The Long Walk for Lungs will commence in Narromine on Monday and will follow a 697km route through Trundle, Condobolin, Lake Cargelligo, Griffith, Leeton, Weethale, Barellan, West Wyalong.
It it anticipated the walk will finish in Forbes on September 1. More at longwalkforlungs.com.au