It’s been three years since Forbes Rugby Club sat down and detailed a plan that would eventually net the Platypi a Blowes Clothing Cup first grade premiership.
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On Saturday at Endeavour Oval in Orange, the dream of Tracey Prior, Phil Prior and Heamani Lavaka came to fruition amid euphoric scenes after the Platypi knocked off the previously unbeaten Orange Emus 28-20, claiming the club’s second Central West Rugby Union (CWRU) top flight premiership.
“We wanted it, now we’ve got it,” Tracey Prior said during her club’s wild celebrations at the Orange ground.
“And for it not to come down to a kick is fantastic,” she laughed in reference to the past clashes between the two sides, Nigel Staniforth kicking a penalty goal on three separate occasions to get Emus over the line.
“For there to be a bit of a buffer on the board, it’s good.
We had a good feeling coming into the day. I’m so proud of the boys and what they’ve achieved.
“We giggled about it three years ago when we first sat down together, and here it is, for real.
“I’m so proud at far we’ve come.”
Prior said the club learnt from last year’s heart-breaking 14-11 loss in the 2016 decider at the same venue, against the same opposition.
It resulted in a far calmer lead-up to Saturday’s decider and eventually brought about the drought-breaking eight-point win – just the fourth time a team outside of Orange, Bathurst and Dubbo has won the CWRU’s top flight since 1970.
“We have to work hard to be competitive with (Emus),” she said.
“We’ve got the utmost respect for these guys and they’ve been tough all year for us. It was really nice to get up on the today.
“I think they were a lot calmer than they were last year.
“I think there were a lot of nerves, a lot of young guys, the big dance was something new.
“That year experience now, just a bit calmer. It felt good. Even on Thursday night when we trained, it felt good.
“We’re going to party like it’s the new millennium.”
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