RUGBY LEAGUE
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The Wellington Cowboys kept hold of their place as equal second on the Group 11 ladder but they were given a real scare as a Forbes Magpies second-half comeback threatened to produce a stunning upset.
Playing at Kennard Park the Cowboys got away to a flyer and delighted their home fans to lead 36-6 at the break but the Magpies scored 28 unanswered points in the second half to get themselves right back in the contest.
The Cowboys hung on for a 36-34 win but it is a wake up call for a side which has been winning on cruise control in recent weeks.
The home side began well with captain-coach Justin Toomey-White charging over underneath the posts and a few minutes later winger Scott Thompson raced over in the corner.
Ben Robertson hit back for the Magpies but two further tries to Toomey-White and one each to Chris Thompson and Shannon Ireland had the Cowboys in full control at the break.
Precociously talented Forbes halfback Nick Greenhalgh showed his class at halfback to score before Tim Ashcroft produced a spectacular run from a dropped ball to get the Magpies back in contention.
Adrian Grogan surged over shortly after to make it 36-22 and with all the momentum Forbes were held up over the line twice by some desperate Cowboys defence.
But they wouldn't be denied and Ashcroft scored another two tries but couldn't convert his second from the sideline and the Cowboys hung on for the win.
In the round's other match the Parkes Spacemen proved they aren't out of the title race as they defeated the Nyngan Tigers 28-24.
The Spacemen have struggled for consistency in 2014, partly due to a host of injuries, but they showed their class yesterday as experienced stars Dennis Moran, Tino Ionatana, Alex Prout and Todd Barrow all found their way across the line while in a huge boost for the club captain-coach Pat Rosser made his return fro injury off the bench.
Meanwhile in the Parkes-Nyngan reserve garde match there were two players sent off and a further player sighted for abusing a match official.
All three players will face charges and depending on their plea could face the Group 11 judiciary this week.