Parkes junior Darcy Summerhayes and Parkes Boars 1st grade player Toby Baigent.

The extremely popular Parkes Boars Try Rugby Sessions are back for 2023 and kick off on friday, 3rd March. Register your child now if they are between the ages of 5 and 16 and would like to give rugby a try. Th Try Rugby Sessions will be facilitated by Central West Rugby Union staff and senior players.

Rugby is an all inclusive sport and Try Rugby Sessions are the best way to get a taste of Rugby and learn the basics. Try Rugby is for kids of any age or fitness level or ability, there will be something to cater for everyone.

Registration is now live. Please see the Parkes Boars Facebook page or for more information email parkesboars@gmail.com 

A one-off payment of $20 is payable at the first session, where participants will receive a water bottle and try rugby training shirt. 

Parkes Try Rugby Sessions will be running each Friday in March and all are encouraged to register.

The Parkes Boars have a winning streak to maintain, with the first grade team being the New Holland Cup Premiers in 2022, 2021 and 2020. 

The Boars train Tuesday evenings during pre-season at 6:30pm at Spicer Oval. This year the club are looking to field all junior grades as well as first grade, second grade and women’s teams in the senior competition. 

“We will be running a five week Try Rugby event for juniors ages 5-16. This will be in the second week of term 1 with dates to be confirmed,” said Sophie Oliver. 

It has been great to see a lot of new and old faces at pre-season training. Anyone who wants to give rugby a try is encouraged to turn up to training and you will be very welcomed. 

Looking for some action this footy season? The Forbes Rugby Union Club kicked off pre-season training for the 2023 season on Tuesday, 31st January for senior grades. Juniors will kick off soon, with dates to be announced. 

The Club was excited to see close to 50 players across the senior grades, show up for training. They invite all new and returning players to come along to training at 6.30pm on Tuesday to get involved for the upcoming season.

Some great shots that just scream “Forbes loves Rugby!” Images courtesy of the Forbes Rugby Union Club. 

The Forbes Platypi Under 12s won the Central West premiership for the third year in a row beating Mudgee 50 – 0.

Forbes Junior Rugby made its mark in the Central West this season with the Under 12s taking home the premierships trophy for the third year in a row, and the Under 16s narrowly missing out on claiming the grand final. 

The Under 12s beat Mudgee 50 – 0 in Dubbo at the end of August to continue the dominance they showed all season. 

Mac Glasson was chosen by CWJRU as best and fairest player of the grand final, and Jagger King was selected as player of the finals by the coaches/parents. 

“It’s fantastic,” said club president Craig Bruem. “They were head and shoulders above the rest for the whole competition, but that did not distract them and they kept up their level of performance. It is pretty amazing that they’d won it for the third time and it is so good for the club.” 

Craig said there was a lot of talent among the players and the coaches. It was a great result for the time and effort put in by Dave Hodder, Randall Grayson, Troy Howe and Jim Cronin. 

The Under 16s played the formidable Orange Emus in the grand final with the Emus taking the trophy 24 – 12. 

A special mention of the Platypi no. 8 Geordie Duncan, who was chosen by CWJRU as best and fairest player of the grand final, despite not being on the winning team. 

“It was the first grand final for many of the Platypi players and they really stuck it to the Emus and fought hard to the end,” said Craig. 

“For a little town like Forbes to be playing against the bigger clubs really made a statement this season.” 

Greg Moxey, Pete Francis, Steve Jarick and Tony Frazer lead the boys to the pointy end of the season.

The Parkes Boars celebrate after becoming New Holland Cup Premiers for the third year in a row after beating Mudgee 23-20 on Saturday. (Photo: Allan Ryan)

The mighty Parkes Boars have been named New Holland Cup Premiers for the third year in a row, after a nail-biting 23-20 win over Mudgee in the first grade rugby union grand final on Saturday. 

The Boars had a rollercoaster season, finishing third on the ladder at the end of the regular season. The team worked hard to bring home the silverware, defeating CSU Bathurst and Dubbo Rhinos on the way to the grand final. 

First grade coach Ben Ryan said the team expected the Mudgee Wombats to apply pressure early. “They came out very strong and got an early lead on us,” he said. “But our captain, Christopher ‘Taco’ Parker, and vice-captain, veteran Rory Nock, kept the boys focused and didn’t let the pressure become overwhelming. That allowed us to grind it out for the full 80 minutes and that’s exactly what it took to win.” 

The game lead changed hands several times, with the Boars finding themselves four points down in the dying minutes. A textbook try by Sororpepeli ‘Sorro’ Soqe followed by a successful conversion from the golden boot of Luke Bevan were enough to secure the lead for Parkes with seconds until the buzzer. 

“The last play was a Mudgee kick off and it was frantic, both teams knew they needed to get their hands on the ball at all costs,” said Ben. “Just about everyone who could get under the ball went for it, and fortunately we came away with it after a Mudgee knock on and that was the end of the game. 

“I think a massive thank you has to go to all our families, friends and supporters who wished us luck and those who came over to back us on the day. Going into enemy territory and having a vocal group there supporting you makes a massive difference,” said Ben. 

By Ben & Kimberley Ryan