Defending premiers bow out

Cowra eliminated the defending premiers Forbes Platypi with two last-minute tries to book a spot in next week’s Blowes Clothing Cup preliminary final.

The score was locked at 10-10 after 74 minutes, and two intercept tries in the final five minutes lifted the Eagles to a 24-10 victory at the Cowra Rugby Grounds, the score blowing out to a 14-point winning margin. 

Cowra edged ahead with minutes remaining courtesy of a brilliant piece of work by Steve Montgomery against the run of play. 

He remarkably plucked the ball from the air as the Platypi looked to play the ball out of their own end from a scrum 10m out from their own line.

He crashed over and was swarmed by teammates before Pate Breamaisur added the extras for a 17-10 lead with under two minutes left.

Nacina iced the win soon after and the final whistle blew.

Platypi captain Jack Hammond was proud of his troops.

“We were right in it until two or three minutes to go but that’s rugby,” he said after the game. 

“It could have gone either way it was 10-10 with five to go. Credit to Cowra they took the chances.

“We’re not too disappointed, we fell a bit short but at the end of the day we’re still happy with the season we had.

“It was just two intercepts. Nothing went wrong today.

“They played smart it was tough and physical. Unfortunately for us they were on the winning side.

“It was always going to be hard being defending premiers. We tried our best to get back there.”

First grade manager Phil Prior echoed that.

“It’s hard to win a premiership, it’s even harder to defend it,” he said. “I’m proud of the boys’ efforts.”

By and large it’s been a good season on and off field for the Forbes Rugby Union Club and Prior reckons the side can hold their head high. 

“We’ve been blessed the past few years, we’ve had very few big injuries,” he added. “This year we’ve been struck down by a few.” 

He said the mood in the Platypi camp was pretty upbeat after the game.

Cowra captain Chris Miller was pleased with their victory but knows improvement is needed next week against Bathurst Bulldogs if they’re to progress to the decider at Orange Emus’ Endeavour Oval.

“It’s a great feeling, it’s fantastic. We certainly know the job is not over and there’s plenty to go and it’s quite pleasing that we’re still in the competition,” Miller said.

“Our first half was pretty scrappy and we could have put a few more points on them. It’s a big step up next week and there’s room for improvement.”

Cowra led 7-3 at the break thanks to a 34th minute try by Eagles halfback Troy Jeffs after Forbes went ahead by three in the early stages.

A couple of opportunities for three points went begging off the boot of Jack Thurtell, but Cowra kept their cool and kept peppering the Platypi’s line.

Another penalty was awarded, this time Eagles fullback Pate Breamaisur stood up and knocked it over for a 10-3 lead.

Forbes moved into attacking territory and immediately turned it into points with prop Cameron Bennett crashing over in the 74th minute and Simon Uphill leveled it up.

The Eagles applied defensive pressure and worked Forbes deep into their own half thanks to a charge down by Jeremy Montgomery which was eventually spilled by a Cowra player.

From the scrum, his brother Steve peeled off quickly and produced the stunning match-winning intercept try. 

Sunday also saw the elimination of Forbes’ wolf pack, they went down 24-5 to Orange Emus.