In holding off a fighting Orange City side at Pride Park on Saturday afternoon Forbes kept their dream of sneaking into the Blowes Clothing Cup finals alive, their post-season hopes come down to the final round of the regular season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The fifth-placed Platypi edged out the young, fighting Lions - who were spurred on by halfback Tom Nell celebrating his 100th top grade appearance - by just seven points on Saturday, winning 19-12.
They didn't pick up a bonus point but crucially neither did Dubbo in their 33-21 loss to Cowra.
Last weekend's results mean the Platypi remain four points behind the fourth-placed Kangaroos, whom they host at Grinsted Oval in this coming weekend's final regular season round.
There are a number of hypotheticals now, but the situation looks likely to be as simple as winning with a bonus point for the Platypi.
That should be enough for them to sneak into fourth, although even with a loss Roos would still hang onto the last available finals spot if they picked up two bonus points in a defeat - for scoring four or more tries and losing by seven or less.
A victory, any kind of victory, will be enough for Roos to hang onto fourth as well.
The Platypi secured their victory on Saturday by way of Luke Evans, Henry Nash and Harrison Sellers' tries, two of which Angus King converted.
Orange City second-rower Sam Hoare crossed for a double for his side and Keegan Harding nailed one of his attempts, but it wasn't quite enough as the Lions suffered their ninth consecutive defeat and 13th of the season.
The young side's improvement is clear to see though, of their defeats most have been by 12 points or less, where they largely suffered heavy losses in 2018.
Their final chance to claim a win comes against Orange Emus at Endeavour Oval, the only side they've taken points other than bonus points from this year, with their memorable 22-all draw back in round five.
- FORBES PLATYPI 19 (Luke Evans, Henry Nash, Harrison Sellers tries; Angus King 2 conversions) def ORANGE CITY LIONS 12 (Sam Hoare 2 tries; Keegan Harding conversion)