These semi-finals were 'do-or-die' for all teams. The winners go on to contest the Pool Finals, while the losers get into practice for the Presentation Meal. There are already successful teams waiting in a position in the Pool Final. Many of those have been out practising to ensure their form stays together, and perhaps dreaming of emulating Winx.

The best three Winning Team scores this week went to - Still Trying (97.5), Drawshanks (98.5) and Just for Fun and Wanna Wac Em (both 100.0). So it is still important for each team to strive for something special. Who can handle the pressure?

Among those playing, the best Members players overall were Tony Cogswell (Drawshanks - 30), Ted Morgan (Drawshanks - 32) and Julie Hurkett (Just for Fun - 32). The best Non-members scores were Maree Hodges (Wanna Wac Em - 27), Rose Carroll (Still Trying - 30.5), and Trevor Toole (Just for Fun - 33.5). An even spread across the ladies and men there.

The ball winners were:

Pool 1 - R Carroll, K Stirling, S Perry, J Smith, L Brown, R Baker, N Wright and J Schall.

Pool 2 - T Cogswell, T Morgan, B Turner, N Ryan, K Biles, A McDonald, J Cutler and B Tooth.

Pool 3 - M Hodges, J Hurkett, T Shannon, T Toole, G Fordham, G Howe, S Toole and K Vale.

The Cup Finals are - Pool 1: Hit n Miss v Still Trying; Pool 2: Hot to Pop v Drawshanks, Pool 3: Just for Fun v Cobblers Crew. The Plate Finals are - Pool 1: Grant Howell AE v Duffers, Pool 2: Won by Walkers; Pool 3: Hook Drive and Sink It v Wanna Wac Em.

Unfortunately, the most consistently performing team through the competition, being Forbes Toyota, seemed to stumble in the end. They bowed out after losing to Drawshanks by 6 points. F Troop and Postie Top 6 also were doing well but tripped at the penultimate hurdle. Other teams were up and down all season, with some feeling a bit disappointed. But we can say that there were many hilarious events out there, and many more to come in next season.

Good luck to all the Finalists, and let us hope the Grand Final weather is kind to us all. And do not forget to put in your numbers for the Presentation Meal on April 7.

Smooth Swinger

The monthly meeting of the Forbes Netball Association was held last week, with many teams represented, and having input into ideas and decisions about the competitions.

These teams also received two competition bonus points.

The meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month, except during school holidays, at 7 pm at the Forbes Services Memorial Club.

Umpire for Senior State Titles

A National badged umpire is needed for the Senior State Titles to be held over the June long weekend.

A 17U team has been selected and will compete at regional carnivals for training and compete, and represent the FNA in the Senior State Titles.

The umpire will have their accommodation and food free for the weekend, and will receive $300-00 for the three days of umpiring, all paid for by the players in the team.

Expressions of interest for the umpire will close on Friday March 29, stating National badge details, and should be emailed to Secretary Melissa emailsecretary.forbesnetball@gmail.com

Coach for 11 years carnival team

A coach for the 11 years carnival team is needed, where the team will play in the regional carnivals. Dates for the carnivals are available from the committee.

Weekly training will be when the coach and players are available.

Expressions of interest, and applications should be emailed to Secretary Melissa on above email.

Applicants should state any playing or coaching experience and coaching qualifications if held.

Enquiries can be made to Coach Convenor Robyn Kenny on Wednesday night at 7 pm.

The first carnival for the 11 years team would be West Wyalong on Sunday, April 7.

Applications and expressions of interest for the 11 years coach will close on Friday March 29.

Regional League West Central West 2019

Congratulations Forbes Open representative team.

The Forbes Open representative team has been competing in the West/Central West Regional League over two Sundays in March.

The team is a mix of teenagers and adults, and has made huge improvements in their playing standard.

The team yesterday qualified for the finals series by coming in 4th on the ladder, after winning two of their three games on Sunday. The team defeated Parkes 47-21 and then Dubbo 45-24.

The Dubbo game was an outstanding game, at the end of a huge day of netball, when the team played with speed, and determination and gave a powerful display of high standard netball.

The Open team will now play on Sunday March 31 at Orange PCYC stadium.

Supporters are needed for Sunday to cheer on our team of outstanding and determined netballers, who have put huge efforts into all areas of the game.

More on the Regional League on Friday.

Draw for Wednesday, March 27

Ladies competition

Mixed competition

Robyn Kenny

Congratulations to Liesa Burton on winning the major singles again this year and also winning 2018 Senior Sportsperson of the year award, well done Liesa.

Results of the pennant games played so far, on Tuesday, March 19 Forbes played Canowindra both Forbes teams had a win, score Forbes 45 Canowindra 26.

Thursday, March 21 Forbes played Parkes at Forbes, score; Forbes 31, Parkes 41,

Tuesday, March 26 Forbes have the bye, and Thursday, March 28 Forbes versus Canowindra at Forbes.

Entries for the major pairs should be in by March 27. A reminder the Mini Carnival is on April 27. 

Social bowls were played on Wednesday with two games of triples, team one were Noela Girot Glenys Ryan, Pat Markey with Carmel Murray Anne Nixon and Cheryl Hodges; team 2. Lesley Dunstan Jenny Curry, Lynn Simmonds with Jan Waugh ,Colleen Liebich and Pam Stevens ,the new players are playing very well and enjoying their bowls so far . Winner of the raffle ; was Annette Tisdell . Birthdays for March; Marlene Kopp and Jenny Curry we wish them both a happy birthday. Rosters for April ;Social selection Lynn Simmonds . Morning tea roster Loris Stewart and Lesley Dunstan . Contributed by Glenys Ryan.

Remember to come and help the Forbes Red Cross club to raise funds for Red Cross on Sunday 31 March names in 12.30 for 1 pm start very on is welcome to come new and old players welcome we will have a trading table, raffles, 100 club, rest and touchers,and lucky door, good prizes for the winners.

Winners for last week was Vera McPetire what great bowls Vera played on Wednesday Vera was up at the jack all the time and one stage Vera wicked of one bowl then an other and got the shot very well done. Vera Wilma and Betty Mc Grath 3 wins 31 points .Runners up Loraine Joan and Denny 1 win 1 lose and 1 draw 21 points.Chocolate went to Joyce and Sue.Raffle was won Loraine Pat and Joan.

Hope to see lots of people at the Red Cross Fun Day you can phone your name in to Wilma on 68522736 on Saturday or Sunday morning.

Wilma Hepburn

This was the race Justin Stanley wanted to win, the 2019 Trangie Gold Cup, at the same track and in the corresponding race five years ago, when his successful jockey career came to an abrupt end.

Fallon Street won the 2014 Cup but a few strides past the post went amiss and the injuries suffered by Stanley in the fall resulted in it being his last ride in a race.

Fortunately, he has become a successful trainer, firstly at Dubbo and now at Narromine , with highlights including wins with Something Borrowed and Good Host in Western Racing Association Qualifiers for the Country Championship Finals at Royal Randwick.

Back at Trangie on Saturday and with a very good crowd in attendance, the Stanley stable was represented by the ten year old gelding Wollartant in the 1400 metres Three Rivers Machinery Trangie Gold Cup.

Well ridden by Bathurst based apprentice Ashleigh Stanley, the step sister of Justin Stanley, the gallant Wollartant ( 2.50 favourite ) led for home and although challenged all the way down the straight held on to beat Rehanaat ( Tiffany Jeffries, $3 ) by a head with over twelve lengths to third placed Rusty Motorbike ( Stephane Joseph,$8 ).

Racing in great form over the current campaign, Wollartant has won the Bedgerabong Picnic Cup, a TAB race at Wellington and finished fourth in the Gilgandra Cup.

Bringing up a double for Justin Stanley,Incision ( Jake Pracey-Holmes,$3 fav ) led all the way to win the Benchmark 50 Handicap ( 800 metres ) from Decades ( Andrew Banks,$17 ) and Divine Design ( Tony Cavallo,$5 )

The other 800 metres race, a Maiden Handicap, saw debut maker Altessdain ( Jake Pracey-Holmes-Holmes,$2.50 fav.) leading from the outset to score by two lengths from Carnegie's Monaco ( Tony Cavallo,$5 ) and Have'nt We All ( Kacie Chater,$13 ).

A day after his old team the South Sydney Rabbitohs beat the Dragons in the NRL, former rugby league star Terry Fahey, now a trainer at Narromine, won the Maiden Plate ( 1200 metres ) with Nemo Dat.

Headed in the straight by Rebellion ( Tiffany Jeffries,$11 ),Nemo Dat ( Tony Cavallo,$3.20 ) came again to win by a half neck with Mel Bea ( Ashleigh Stanley,$4.60 ) finishing third.

Formerly from Mauritius and now apprenticed to Rodney Robb at Nyngan, Stephane Joseph won the Benchmark 50 Handicap ( 1200 metres ) on Blue Channel for Robb and the owner-breeder John Smith from Gilgandra.

On the outside in a line of four when entering the straight, Blue Channel gained control to win by a length from the fast finishing Getting Ready ( Kacie Chater,$8 ) and one of the joint leaders, Coroglen ( Andrew Banks,$8 ).

With a typically powerful ride, Andrew Banks drove the Roy McCabe, Bathurst trained Gaze Beyond ( $3 ) past the leader to beat Infinite Advantage ( Jake Pracey-Holmes-Holmes,$7 ) and Fasfer ( Tiffany Jeffries,$4.60 ) in the 1300 metres Class 1 Handicap.

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Narromine TAB meeting on Thursday features the Diggers Cup while at Warren ( TAB ) on Saturday the feature is the Golden Fleece.The award winning Tullibigeal Picnic Club will also race on Saturday.

Colin Hodges