For the first time since 1985/6 Forbes has won the now combined Lachlan and Macquarie Under 12s representative competition.
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In a tense battle, Forbes prevailed by eight runs at South Circle Oval last Sunday.
Forbes batted first and were tied down by Dubbo's classy representative opening bowler Austin Hunt, seven overs 0/5 including four maidens.
Forbes lost the early wicket of Cameron Gordon run out, trying to push the runs on a lush and thick outfield.
A partnership of 17 between Tom Glasson (2) and Joe Nicholson (50) saw off Dubbo's opening attack before Glasson was caught at square leg, however the next partnership between George Field (38) and the dominant Nicholson set up Forbes' innings for a potential big score.
Nicholson and Field took their opportunities when they came with Nicholson especially punishing the loose ball to the boundary.
Field was dismissed after an excellent captain's knock in the 30th over, with the score at 103 as the Forbes innings slowed due to some tight bowling by F McCloud 4/6 off 2.
In the mean time, Nicholson made his 50 to the delight of the crowd after giving a chance on 49.
Forbes lost wickets cheaply at the end, in the mad chase for quick runs to boost the total, Forbes finishing on 6/118 off their 32 overs.
Dubbo's other wicket taker was L O'Connor 1/20 off 5.
The lush outfield made Forbes' total of 118 very defendable and probably more like 160.
Dubbo's chase started disastrously, losing Orth for one - run out by Phoenix Hurford - in the first over before McCloud (14) and Deebank (30) steadied the innings before McCloud became the first of Field's two wickets.
It should be said that Forbes' opening bowlers Nicholson (0/20 off 6) and Cayden Metzling (1/26 off 7) controlled the game from the outset with Metzling's off-spinners resulting in two run-outs (P Hurford and T Hurford) during his spell.
Dubbo suffered a mid-order collapse going from 2/58 to 5/63 in the space of three overs, as the required run rate climbed to six an over due to some excellent bowling and pressure from the field, notably in close from Dempsey O'Connell and Stirling Francis and work on the boundary by Phoenix Hurford and Hamish Nicholson.
Forbes' change bowlers Marcus Hardy (0/6 off three) and Thompson Hurford (0/11 off three) maintained the pressure during the middle of the innings however Hunt (27no) was still the thorn in Forbes' side and whilst he was at the crease Dubbo held out some hope.
He was ably assisted by C Quinn (10no) and a number of dropped catches as it appeared Forbes became nervous in the field.
As the game came to its crescendo, some excellent end-of-innings bowling from Nicholson and Mac Glasson (0/23 off 6) left Dubbo needing 14 off the last over.
Despite some lusty Dubbo swinging, Forbes regained their composure to clinch the title, Dubbo's innings ending nine runs short of the win at 6/110.
It must be said that Forbes' game is based entirely on their team, there is no stand-out that wins games for this team.
Their batsmen score runs, bowlers restrict teams and their fielding especially in close is outstanding.
They have beaten Cowra and Dubbo in the grand final by restricting and choking their opposition's scoring ability and should be justly proud of being premiers this year.
