Jack Hammond knows what it takes to win a Blowes Clothing Cup and he's got no doubt his Forbes Platypi can go to another level in the run towards this year's final series.
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The Platypi had to dig deep on Saturday but they were able to muster that little bit extra and get past the Dubbo Kangaroos in a match that failed to hit any great heights.
Hammond scored the all-important try that secured a 12-6 win for his side inside the final 10 minutes at Apex Oval and the result keeps the Platypi firmly in the running for the minor premiership.
Orange Emus hold top spot at the moment with 37 points and they are four points ahead of Cowra while Forbes and the Bathurst Bulldogs are a single point back to round out an extremely close top four.
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Saturday's win was also made more pleasing given the Platypi were without NSW Country prop Charlie French and it came just seven days after they gave up a half-time lead to Bulldogs in a disappointing performance.
"I think the boys are gelling well and if we can get everyone available on the park we've got a very good chance of going to that next level and contending with the number one and two," Hammond said.
"We fought right to the end, the full 80 minutes. We didn't give up halfway through like we did last week. We kept fighting and we got the win."
Hammond was part of 2017 premiership-winning Forbes side and has returned as a key man in recent weeks after taking on a bit-part role at the start of the season.
He will again be important next weekend when the Platypi host Cowra in one of two massive round 11 matches.
The other pits Emus against the in-form Bulldogs while the wooden spoon could be decided when Orange City hosts the Roos.
The Roos remain with just the three wins to their name this season and sit fifth, a huge 16 points off Forbes.
The loss to the Platypi was another frustrating one for the side and coach Paul Hausia said there was a lot of soul-searching being done in the match-match huddle.
"A decision made on the field, we look now and say 'maybe we should have done this' but whether it's heat of the moment ... we just can't get over the finish line," he said.
"All the talk was 'we should have, we should have' but full credit to Forbes. They're always a tough pack."
As disappointing as the match was, Saturday was a chance for the Roos and Platypi come together for a Mark Hughes Foundation (MHF) brain cancer awareness match.
Both sets of players donned MHF beanies after the match in a sign of solidarity with Roos team manager Vince Gordon, who is currently receiving treatment for brain cancer.
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Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
