Forbes has stunned Group 10 premiers Bathurst Panthers after running in seven tries to three in a 40-16 thrashing to claim the inaugural NAB Western Premiers Challenge.
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Played in perfect conditions on a seriously quick Carrington Park track, Jake Grace picked up a double in a man-of-the-match performance while replacement fullback Dennis Spathis also finished with a brace to help the Group 11 champs kick on to be crowned the Western Division’s premier top grade side as well, capping a remarkable 2018 for the club.
“We’ve had a couple of weeks off and one training run together and it’s just been about getting the boys up again for one more game … to put in a performance like we have today is outstanding,” victorious Forbes coach Cameron Greenhalgh said.
The Magpies found themselves down 6-0 early, but in a five-minute period the Forbes outfit incredibly wrestled back the ascendancy and virtually won the game.
They led 22-6 at the break following tries to Spathis, Farren Lamb, Jaiden Burke and Jarred Tyack, the latter three crossing in the 19th, 21st and then 23rd minutes, respectively, to shock the Bathurst club.
“We knew we had to stay in it,” Greenhalgh added.
“Our defence breeds that enthusiasm in attack and I knew our defence would be solid all day with a leader like Jake Grace.
“I knew we were going to be good there and our attack the last couple of months has been outstanding.”
Sunday’s clash was Grace’s last in black and white, for the foreseeable future anyway.
And he went on in a blaze of glory, scoring the first two tries of the second stanza to effectively put to bed any hope Panthers had of claiming the $10,000 prizemoney.
Spathis completed his brace shortly after and at 40-6 the swoopers were home, even with 25 minutes left on the clock.
I knew our defence would be solid all day with a leader like Jake Grace.
- Forbes Magpies coach Cameron Greenhalgh.
Both Seager boys, Blake and Brent, crashed over for Panthers to add some respectability to the scoreline but it was never enough, Forbes crowned the west’s best after the 24-point triumph.
Injured Panthers captain-coach Doug Hewitt didn’t want that loss to sour his club’s 2018, though.
Which is fair enough.
Like Forbes did in winning the Group 11 title, Panthers stormed from fourth to upset Cowra.
They just couldn’t replicate that effort again on Sunday.
“Today got out of control … it came back to our enthusiasm. They were hitting the deck and finding their front every time and when they got that roll on we couldn’t stop it.” Hewitt said.
“Today would have been the icing on the cake, but the year we’ve had is a credit to the club.
“It’s just one of those days, Forbes put a good team on the paddock and they were a bit too good for us today.”
Jed Betts was tremendous in a beaten Panthers side, stepping into the front-row in the initial absence of Dave Scott medalist Brent Seager.
Wright, too, was great, producing flashes of brilliance the Group 10 community became accustomed to seeing from the 29-year-old during a memorable run to the 2018 title.
But the day belonged to the Magpies.
The Group 11 champs were best served by Grace, and dynamic hooking duo Hayden Bolam and Jaiden Burke, while Bob Weir medal winner Ben Maguire, too, was again great in the front-row for the swoopers.
- FORBES MAGPIES 40 (Jake Grace 2, Dennis Spathis 2, Farren Lamb, Jarred Tyack, Jaiden Burke tries; Farren Lamb 6 goals) def BATHURST PANTHERS 16 (Blake Seager, Brent Seager, Nick Loader tries; Willie Wright 2 goals)