Group 11 has often been regarded as one of the most attacking competitions in bush footy but even for its standards the opening round of the 2017 competition was hard to believe.
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An incredible 314 points was scored in four matches, with CYMS’ 102-0 annihilation of Westside the biggest result of the weekend while Forbes and Parkes also impressed.
The round began with Macquarie defeating Nyngan 26-20 at Caltex Park before the Forbes Magpies began its premiership defence in style, defeating the Wellington Cowboys 64-20.
While it ended a one-sided affair the new-look Cowboys, being led by captain-coach Aidan Ryan, made life tough for the Magpies in the first half and only trailed 20-10 after 40 minutes.
But Forbes turned on the style in the second half, led by its bumper forward pack, and ran out resounding 44-point winners.
Parkes also got its season off to a flying start, scoring a 56-32 win at Narromine’s Cale Oval.
The Jets, who have lost influential captain-coach Luke Thompson for the season through injury, couldn’t handle the Spacemen, led by hat-trick hero Brandon Paige while influential fullback Sam Dwyer and young second rower Jay Slavin each scored a double.
Both the Macquarie and Parkes clubs started their season in style and both won all four grades in their respective fixtures while CYMS and Forbes each won three of the four games.