The Platypi held their own in the first half of Saturday's game, down 14-8 at half-time, but the Emus got away from them in the latter stages of the second half.

Harry Cummins opened the scoring for Emus and Nigel Staniforth's conversion gave the visitors a 7-0 lead early in the piece.

The hosts hit back with a penalty goal from the right boot of Angus King to reduce the margin to four, but a converted five-pointer to Marchinton again shot Emus ahead.

Giving Forbes the momentum heading into the break, gun No.8 Matt Coles marked his return to the Central West's top tier with a trademark try to keep the Platypi within striking distance at 14-8 at the half-time.

But the Emus stepped up after the half-time break.

A second-half double to Tom Joseph as well as tries to try-scoring hooker Charlie Henley, Staniforth and Sam Greatbatch sealed the first-up victory.

"The errors let us down," Prior acknowledged of the end of the game.

Match fitness, due to the lack of preparation time, played a part in that and the experienced Emus side took every advantage.

For Forbes, Jarrod Hall, Jack Hammond, Andrew Hubbard and Charlie French were at the nucleus of a side that featured a lot of new faces.

A couple of exciting new recruits include Don Dundas in the front row and Andrew Saar who has come out from Sydney.

Both, the veteran coach said, would be assets to the club.

An upbeat Prior said the side was on the right track, but they do only have six weeks in this shortened season to get on the right side of the scoreboard in a competition modified due to COVID-19.

The Platypi have the bye this coming weekend, and they'll be using their time wisely.

In all, it was good to be back on the rugby field with spectators enjoying four grades of senior rugby on a sunny day.

The Platypi squad is looking strong with good numbers and a victory in reserve grade. More to come on the day's other fixtures.