THE Forbes Magpies under 18s side rebounded from a savage preseason trial loss to the Parkes Spacemen with a commanding 16 point win at Pioneer Oval on Sunday afternoon.
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The Magpies forward pack made metres at will, taking advantage of a tired Parkes defence throughout much of the game, and coach Ben Godden was stoked with the end result.
"It was a pretty complete performance, I was very happy with the result," he said after the game.
The Spacemen got off to the perfect start after a try to Col Rauchle in the fourth minute after Forbes fullback Darcy Leadbitter made an uncharacteristic error.
Both teams were really ripping in with some spirited defence early, but when centre Harrison Scott crossed the stripe midway through the first half some danger signs were starting to emerge for Parkes.
The other long weekend games between Parkes and Forbes:
With about 10 minutes to go until half time, the Parkes defence was starting to open up a bit too easily, and Godden knew his side needed to ram that advantage home.
"The forwards really aimed up and I thought we had them out on their feet at half time.
"I told the boys we just have to keep going and we'll break them apart," Godden said.
With the score sitting at 14-4 at the break, Parkes needed to respond, and hooker Kyle Mawhinney did his best to lift his side, playing with great energy.
Alas, it was too no avail, with Sam Raumati and Campbell Rubie making big metres for Forbes while Leadbitter was his electric best at the back.
The Magpies scored three more tries in the second half and the result never really looked in doubt despite a fantastic Mawhinney try with 12 minutes to go.
For Godden, it was a great rebound from a heavy trial loss to Parkes in the preseason - and he was particularly impressed with the leadership of Rubie.
"Last time we were over here we got a bit of a lesson so the boys had that in the back of their minds today."
"Darcy was great at the back as always but my man of the match was Campbell Rubie."
"He was unbelievable and he's just so consistent - I wish I had 13 of him," said Godden.
This Sunday, Parkes will look to bounce back when they host the Wellington Cowboys at Pioneer Oval, while Forbes will enjoy the bye.
Parkes Spacemen 10 (Rauchle, Mawhinney tries; Ehsman 1 goal) defeated by Forbes Magpies 26 (Scott 2, Glasson, Acret, Bray tries; Thorpe 3 goals)