Late goal downs Spacemen

Urged on by a bumper audience from both towns, Forbes fought back after trailing on three separate occasions in a tense second half struggle.

Parkes led 10-6, 16-10 and 22-16 before Forbes equalised in the 75th minute and ultimately won on the bell in controversial fashion.

Inside the final 20 seconds, the ball was dislodged from the grasp of Parkes prop Dave Masoe and in the subsequent ruck Parkes skipper Dennis Moran was ruled offside.

Forbes half Carl Johnson calmly landed the penalty goal from 28 metres after the siren to gift Forbes a victory.

With both sides scoring four tries, perhaps a draw would have been a fair result, but the Spacemen were left lamenting poor options on the sixth tackle, ill discipline at times and an inability to control the Forbes go forward.

Both sides will look for improved efforts next weekend as the semi-finals start to unfold.

Parkes enjoyed significant victories in both league tag and Juniors, but were well beaten 44-6 in reserve grade.

The 12-0 league tag result enabled Parkes to finish third while the Juniors prevailed 16-8 for the third time this season against the minor premiers to also finish in the key third spot.

Parkes went into the main game without the injured Hayden Robinson, Brandon Tago and Kevin Frank, with Juniors Ethan McKellar and Jesse Parker in the run on side.

Prior to the start, a minute’s silence was observed in the memory of the late Terry Nash, a stalwart supporter of the Spacemen for many years.

Not surprisingly, his proud son-in-law Epi Sadrodro produced a superb individual performance in very trying and sad circumstances.

Winger Hartwig opened Forbes’ account after 16 minutes, evading Brandon paige to collect a short kick on the narrow blind.

Forbes dominated territory and possession with Parkes defending stoutly for long periods, but frustrated by poor sixth tackle options.

Against the run of play, Parkes equalised after 36 minutes when Forbes winger Coe fumbled a towering Alex Prout bomb, with Juniors Jesse Parker and Billy Burns combining for an important response.

Happy enough with 6-all at oranges after a heavy workload, Moran stamped his authority on the match when play resumed with an audacious 40-20 which covered 60 metres with the breeze.

Burns strolled over unopposed three rucks later for Parkes to lead for the first time at 10-6.

Forbes dug deep to equalise six minutes later when Coe dived on a bouncing ball in the corner on the sixth tackle.

Again on the back of a great Moran kick for field position, Paige flew high on the sixth tackle to retrieve a Moran bomb for Parkes’ third try.

Moran obliged from touch for 16-10 after 58 minutes, but again poor ball control invited Forbes back into the contest.

Merritt bustled over five minutes later to level at 16-all and set the scene for a titanic final quarter hour.

Mercurial scrum half Alex Prout set the match alight with a superb 70 metre solo try from the scrum base to regain the lead.

Both sides had chances as minutes ticked by and Moran failed to find touch from a penalty as tension mounted.

With five minutes to play, prop Grace plucked the ball over the line on the sixth tackle with Johnson’s conversion off the upright.

At 22-all, Forbes missed a field goal attempt and as the siren sounded, Moran was penalised in the ruck for Johnson to land the winning goal amid scenes of jubilation from the Magpie nest.

Best for Parkes were Nick Bligh, Billy Burns, Alex Prout and Epi Sadrodro.

The win provided Forbes with the Brandon Collits Memorial Cup for the first time, presented by the Collits family on the sideline of Spooner Oval after another twin towns clash played in great spirit and resolve.

FORBES 24 (B. Hartwig, J. Coe, J. Grace, Z. Merritt tries; C. Johnson 3, M. Morris goals) defeated PARKES 22 (J. Parker, B. Paige, A. Prout, B. Burns tries; D. Moran 3 goals). 

Referee, Troy Warner. Penalties - Forbes 8-4.