Forbes first grade manager Phil Prior said it was a good win, to turn things around from their losing streak.

“To turn around from four losses in a row. A big improvement,” he said.

The defending premiers handed Orange City its third straight defeat in the process, by taking advantage of a plethora of Lions’ handling errors.

It was that lack of control with the ball, Orange City halfback Tom Nell said, that cost his side dearly.

“When we controlled the ball we looked unreal and we played some really good rugby, we just didn’t control it for long enough periods and almost every time we had it we seemed to drop it.

“I know our forwards were getting pretty frustrated because of the amount of scrummaging they were doing, and dropping the ball so much forced us to defend a lot, we defended our guts out,” Nell said.

Several factors – including their set pieces and defence – contributed to the Platypi’s victory, Prior said.

“Our defence was really good. It frustrated them into their handling errors.”

One of the Lions’ worst periods of the dropsies was in the opening 10 minutes at Pride Park, Nell explained the hosts rarely made it past two consecutive phases before coughing up possession.

Forbes, who welcomed back mercurial halfback Mahe Fangupo although he was still visibly affected by the knee injury that’s kept him out since round four, kicked out to a 10-3 lead by the half-time break as a result.

Prior said that other stand-outs were Simon Uphill as five eighth, Bryce Hazell in the front row and Tohi Nusipepa, who had a “massive game” in the 2nd line.

The Platypi outscored the Lions 12-10 in a gritty second half as well, to secure a bonus point win.

“Our ultimate goal was to win the game,” Prior said, “But we got the bonus point as well.”

Next week, the Platypi will be facing off against the Bathurst Bulldogs in a home game.

Prior said they will hopefully put in a good showing against the Bulldogs, who are coming off a high from breaking the Orange Emus’ undefeated streak in round seven.