McDonald Claims Another First

WMX Results – Rd1. 1st Charli Cannon – 50. 2nd Tayla Thompson – 44. 3rd Danielle McDonald – 40 (Yamaha Racing).’
It was another weekend and another first for Parkes’ teenage dirt bike sensation, Danielle McDonald. With a junior career littered with national championships in off road and motocross, then a gold medal at the International Six Day Enduro (ISDE) last year not long after her sixteenth birthday, McDonald is putting together a lengthy list of achievements for her resume. 2024 has started well with success at the opening round of the Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC), she won the Women’s division on day two. She also racked up another milestone, by landing on the podium at round one of the ProMX in the Women’s class.
McDonald was nervous prior to racing getting underway as she is new to the ProMX scene. Race one saw her make a couple of mistakes as she shook off the nerves, resulting in two small crashes, yet she was able to pick herself up and fight all the way to the finish and cross the finish line in third.
Race two and she was again in the thick of the action and was in a tight battle with seasoned campaigner, Emma Milesevic, who challenged her right until the end. The pair swapped positions several times in the later stages of the race, but McDonald was able to hang on for another third place and was sent straight to the podium for third on the day.
A pattern is forming here with Danielle: Her first ProMX, her first ProMX podium. Her first senior AORC, her first podium. Her first ISDE, her first ISDE podium. Keep an eye out for the talented and determined teenager as she continues to gain experience in both the motocross and off-road paddocks.
McDonald explained “I had a great time at the ProMX round and really enjoyed the racing. It’s much bigger than I thought with so many major teams and the media presence at the race. I still have a lot to learn and there are a lot of fast girls but I’m looking forward to doing this year’s series and thankful Yamaha Australia has given me support to race it”.
Parkes Bowling & Sports Club News
Last Thursday Mark Dwyer and Brian Townsend competed in the State Senior Pairs Championships at Dubbo. The games were on the new synthetic greens which were lighting fast. First game the boys were defeated by Cabramatta 18 to 14. Second game they had a 17 all draw with Harbord and in the third game they went down 15 to 12. Playing against the best teams in the state Mark and Brian did themselves and our club proud. Well done boys.
The Minor Singles was played on Saturday between Wilbur Harris and Mick Simpson.
Wilbur started off well leading 5 to 1, Mick fought back to take the lead 8 to 7. Wilbur then had a short dream run to lead 15 to 9. Mick is a bowler who never gives up and played well to be down only one shot 14 to 15. On the other hand, Wilbur is a player if you let get in
front he will put the foot down, which he did for the next seven ends to lead 22 to 16. Never say die Mick fought back to be only down 1 shot 22 to 23. Wilbur put the game to bed in the next two ends, winning 25 to 22. Great game. Thank you, Marker Tony Riordan. This game was sponsored by Andrew Reynolds who made the presentations. There will be social lawn bowls on Easter Monday. Usual drill; names in between midday and 12:30 for 1pm start.
Phone on 68621446. Col Miller.
Be Seen @ Parkes Touch Association
Be Seen @ Forbes Magpies JRL
Forbes Wins Pennants Div 1

Div 1 Pennants Winners: ‘Caleb Hanrahan, Steve Betland, Peter Dawson, John Betland and Brad Ashton celebrate after their win.’
On Sunday the Finals of the Central West District Mens Pennants were held at Duntryleague in Orange. Forbes was represented by our Div 1 team, who were up against a strong Dubbo team in what proved to be a tight contest.
Our Div 1 team won by 3 matches to 2, capably led by John Betland (won 4/2), with Steve Betland (1 up) and Caleb Hanrahan (4/2) also won. Peter Dawson fought hard, losing on the 18 th , while Brad Ashton did well to come back from a poor start but lost 3/1. A fantastic effort by all involved.
On Saturday the Men’s competition was a 4-person Ambrose Medley, sponsored by the Forbes Rugby Union Club. The field of 92 included club and social golfers who enjoyed beautiful conditions.
The winners were a group of new members which included Taylor Krause, A Tier, S Jarrett and O Patterson, with a winning score of 56.5 nett. Runners up were Dave Rhodes, Rob Webb, Peter Tisdell and John Kuntze (Canowindra), who managed a score of 58 nett and got there on count back.
The NTP’s were: 9 th – Men Jacob Bernardi, Ladies Deb Tilley; 18 th – Men Charlie Kaehler, Ladies Deb Tilley. The Pro Shop Super-pin, on the 3 rd green, went to Michael Jeffress (Pks) with a shot to 161 cm. The ball sweep went to 58 ¼ nett.
The Summer Sixes comp Grand Final is to be played on Sunday 24 March. The teams to contest the final are Forbes Auto, Essential Energy, Forbes Auto Pretenders and Misfits.
A Presentation Dinner will be held in the Golfie after the Grand Final on Sun 24 March, commencing at 6 pm. All players are welcome, with only guests required to pay a modest fee for the meal. By the way there are still spots available in the Forbes Rugby Union Club Golf Day being held today, Friday the 22nd of March, to raise funds for the Peter Murphy Memorial Fund. Go ahead and call the pro-shop to secure your spot on 02 6851 1554.
Contributed by Short Putt
Parkes are you Ready to Rumble
Local legend Tommy Ward has run his Backyard Boxing Gym in Parkes for many years. In fact it was 15 years ago this Easter, when Tommy was nominated to be the recipient of a brand new shed to house his Gym through a tv show called Random Acts of Kindness, he was nominated by Peak Hill Residents Nerida and Lucy Gavin who use to travel in from Peak Hill to bring foster kids to be trained by Tommy.
This Saturday night, 16th of March, MAYHEM Fight Series Presents Boxing at Parkes Leagues Club. Doors open at 4pm and the first fight is at 5pm. There are 19 fights scheduled and 12 of those fights will feature local boxers from Tommy Wards Backyard Boxing Gym. We chatted to a few of Tommys fighters. Brad Moss, who is featuring in the main event at the end of the evening, had his last fight 10 years ago when he was around 17, he has been busy with work and life commitments but has decided to jump in the ring for “One last Hoorah” Brad wants to encourage everyone to come along “Its a great experience, a great night, come along a support these young fullas having a go”. Montana Walker, who is originally from Cowra and previously dabbled in Karate and Muay Thai, has been living in Parkes for 2 years now and training with Tommy since August 2023, she said about training at Tommys “Just a good bunch who are great to train with”. Young Riley Pizzi is gearing up for his third fight, after fighting at the recent Dubbo and Parkes Fight nights and winning both his fights, he is looking to continue his winning streak. We asked him what got him into boxing “I’ve always liked watching action movies and loved the fight scenes, I’ve been asking mum and dad for years to do boxing and they finally agreed” said Riley.
Ladies and gentlemen Tommy Ward would like to take this time to introduce you to all of the boys and Girls that are taking part in this Saturday nights mayhem fight at the Parkes leagues it’s a night you won’t wanna miss out on
Introducing…
Riley Fernando, Oliver Hayes, Riley Pizzi, Hunter White-Crawford, Montana Walker, Jordan Shahid, Jesse Shorter, Jashper Caneta, Zane white-Crawford, Linkin Anderson, Jayden Monaghan-Mclean, Bradley Moss
Unfortunately with unexpected circumstances shelly Nic Tietnan won’t be fighting in this Saturday fight night shelly will still be there supporting her shed team mates with their fights. If you are looking to buy a ticket or a VIP ticket for yourself or family and friends look no further. Head on over and get them before they are sold out you won’t want to miss out. Everyone is encouraged to come along on Saturday night and support this fantastic event so we can secure more fight nights in the future.
Tickets are available through 123tix or at the door
Be Seen @ Parkes Swimming Club

The Parkes Sharks Swimming Club had 12 swimmers in the Parkes High School team and 2 in the Trundle Central School that travelled to Dubbo state qualifiers on Monday 11th,. An amazing 7 swimmers qualified in multiple individual events and 5 relay teams

Extremely well done to the 7 little sharkies that got to represent their primary schools at the state qualifiers in Dubbo on Tues.
Good Contest for Medals
Last Saturday the Mens competition was the 4BBB Stableford, sponsored by SGB Designs, with a field of 51.
Winners were Taylor Krause and Damian Noll with 45 points. They both contributed evenly to the scoring with Damian using his power to hit the greens and Taylor using his handicap to good effect. The runners-up were Kim Herbert and Stuart French (44 pts on c/b). Kim had the better part of the front-9 while Stuart was dominant on the back-9. They pipped the Rhodes/Kuntze pairing who had a few blemishes on the back-9. The winner of the individual event held in conjunction was Clayton Alley with 39 points, on count back from Niel Duncan. The NTP’s were: 9th – Oli Patterson; 18th – Kailab Tyne. The Pro Shop Super-pin, on the 3 rd green, went to Peter Grayson with a shot to 477 cm. The ball sweep went to 42 pts on count back. Check in the Pro Shop if you are keen to find out.
The commencement of the ladies 2024 Competition took the main players away from the mid-week Stableford comp. WE shall keep this option open for any other players and gauge the support for it. The Summer Sixes comp Finals series is fast approaching the Grand Final weekend.
Some teams are producing some desperate scores to be in contention. Don’t forget to put your numbers in for the Presentation Dinner to be held after the Grand Final on Sun 24 March.
Contributed by Short Putt
February Monthly Medal

IMAGES: A big thank you to Brian Collins Smash Repairs and Parkes Caravans for their ongoing sponsorship. Congratulations to all our winners.
The February Telescope Tyres / Hankook Masters Monthly Medal was played last Saturday March 2nd, with our day sponsor being Brian Collins Smash Repairs & Parkes Caravans. There were 81 players teeing it up off the blue tees.
In the A grade, pennants ace John Green turned in the best score of the day in the scratch with his 75 just holding out last month’s winner in James Ward with a 76 and Blake Parker with a 77. John plays his best golf early in the season when he’s battled hardened from the pennant’s season and swinging it well. A 3 over round off his 7 handicap on the day, meant it was going to be difficult to beat. A typical workman like card of 13 pars, 1 birdie and 4 bogeys showed his concentration was on song. James was a bit more erratic, though effective, with 3 birdies and 4 bogeys on the front 9 and only 2 bogeys and 7 pars on the back. Blake continues to get back to his best with an opening 4 bogeys then 2 birdies and 3 bogeys for the remainder of the holes. In the net event Jack Matthews hit the days best score with a 67 of his 11 handicap, beating home James and John both with 68’s.
Jack hasn’t been on the course regularly yet this year so this will inspire him.
In B grade Troy Thomson was in for a slice of his sponsorship pie with his 88 the best score in the scratch matched by Lindsay Elliott with Wayne Tucker posting an early 89. Troy had a 46/42 split so there is still plenty of improvement there, which he will be chasing. Going down in a countback, whilst not uncommon for Lindsay, wasn’t the best way to finish the round and his 43/45 gave a hint of tiredness for the veteran. Wayne had a 46/43 split and was looking for more holes at the finish. In the net event Mick Jeffress got back in the winners list with his 71 getting Troy on a countback stopping him picking up the rare double. Mick had an opening 50 and would have been looking for the clubhouse relief at halfway but had a scintillating 41 second 9, he’s hoping that’s signs of things to come.
This month the Griffins Leading Edge putting competition was won by Lindsay Elliott with 28 putts, showing the value of his short game in trying to catch Troy. The Norman family sponsored Wally Norman Vets Medal was taken out by Robert Rea with a 69 net.
Thanks to all those who competed and supported the Pennants sides this year and stayed tuned for the tee off times so we can get to Orange and support the players in the finals.
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