A CONVERSION from James Mata two minutes from full-time gave the Dubbo Kangaroos a hard-fought 22-20 win over the Forbes Magpies at Grinstead Oval on Saturday.
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The Roos made the trip to Forbes on the back of Blowes Clothing Cup wins over Parkes and CSU and Mata's kick, his only successful one of the day, sealed the scrappy victory.
"The second half was good, we muscled up and got a lot more possession," captain Shaun McHugh said.
"We were just a bit too eager though, we pushed a few passes and tried to forced our hand a bit too much.
"If we were more patient we could have scored a few more tries."
The Platypi, who admitted to Roos players after the match it was their best performance of the season, came out fired up and they were far better in the early stages.
Dubbo's task was made more difficult early on with young scrumhalf Tim Phillips, so impressive in 2015, left the match with an elbow injury.
Mata moved to number nine with Nic Moore coming from the bench to slot into the centres.
Up front was where the damage was being done as front rowers Benn Wright and Pete Graham, supported by hooker Ned Williams, led the charge against the imposing Forbes pack.
The Roos got across the line but still went into the sheds down at the break but in the second half it was a very different Roos team, despite Williams exiting with a leg injury.
"We didn't stick to our plan like we did the week before, but the second half we dominated and we knew it was coming," McHugh said.
"We were probably fighting the clock more than anything."
With the clock winding down the Roos forwards, so often the key to Dubbo's results this season, worked themselves into a strong position and from a rolling maul Simon Hegarty was able to barge his way over for the Roos' fourth try of the afternoon.
From there it was all left to Mata, who had failed to kick any of the previous conversions during the day.
But he was back to his sharpshooting best when it mattered, nailing the shot to seal the bonus point win for his side.
McHugh admitted next weekend's general bye has come at the right time with many Dubbo players nursing niggling injuries.
Following the bye the Roos face two stern tests in the form of the resurgent Mudgee Wombats and Cowra Eagles.
"Bathurst Bulldogs are the front runners in my opinion," McHugh said of how the season is panning out.
"But no one has taken ownership of the competition, we haven't played them (Mudgee or Cowra) yet so the next two weeks will be full on but we're looking forward to it."
In some good news for the club, Josh Tremain's recovery from a shoulder injury is going smoothly and he could even return within the next five weeks.
