The Forbes Platypi acknowledged the players they lost in the Bali Bombings 14 years ago when they snapped a premiership drought at Endeavour Oval on Saturday, grinding out a stunning 28-20 victory over undefeated minor premiers Orange Emus to claim the 2017 Central West Rugby Union title.

After two seasons of disappointment at the Emus’ hands, the Platypi finally found a way to deal the greens a dose of heartbreak and did so in the biggest game of the year.

The victory reverses last year’s grand final result and is also Forbes’ first in a grand final since 2003, when the Platypi downed Bathurst Bulldogs in an emotional victory not long after losing several players in the Bali bombings.

The lead changed hands five times during the thrilling decider but second half tries to Matt Coles and Mahe Fangupo, along with a late Nedd Brockmann penalty goal, sealed the eight-point win for Forbes.

“It’s just special for the club. It was a big occasion [in 2003] and now 14 years to the day we’ve won another premiership, it means everything to us,” Forbes skipper Jack Hammond told the Central Western Daily, amid his club’s raucous celebrations.

“It’s absolutely incredible, it’s a fairy tale … words can’t describe it.”

Although there was several decisive moments in the game, the biggest factor in Forbes’ win was the side’s use of the gale blowing at the Orange ground.

While Emus could only manage 10 points with the wind at their backs, the Platypi scored 15. They also scored 13 points to Emus’ 10 running into the wind.

“The wind played a massive part in it and we used it better,” Hammond said.

“We knew it was a 10-point wind at least, so to be up at half-time (despite running into that wind in the first half) was great.

“We held the ball, we kept coming forward and they couldn’t stop us.”

Although disappointed with what his side produced in the big dance, Emus skipper Nigel Staniforth couldn’t fault the Platypi.

Simply, he said the Forbes side wanted it more.

“They haven’t had [a premiership win as a group] and I think they wanted it a little bit more than us in the end,” Staniforth, who skippered Emus to the 2015 and 2016 titles, explained.

“We really lacked that killer punch, and they [had it]. They’re a really good footy team.

“I’m slowly getting my head around it (but) probably that first half, we didn’t execute enough. We had chances, a few tough calls. The second half was always going to be hard, they had their tails up.

“But we played it into their hands … they ramped up a bit and we fell off. Well done to them, they got the cherries.”

Forbes stormed out of the blocks and missed an opportunity to open the scoring just 90 seconds into the game, winger Henry Willis losing his footing with the try-line in sight and being dragged down short.

Fortunately for the Platypi that wasn’t a sign of things to come, barnstorming hooker Jarrod Hall drove his way over just a few phases later and Brockmann duly added the extras to five Forbes an early 7-0 lead.

Staniforth slashed that gap to four points with a penalty goal in the fifth minute before scoring a five-pointer of his own in the 12th. He nailed the conversion, giving Emus a 10-7 lead.

While both sides’ ball retention was first-rate for the entire clash, Emus’ ability to hold the ball in the next 10 minutes was something to behold.

But the side didn’t add any more points, thanks to a sterling defensive effort from the Platypi.

On the back of that Brockmann landed two penalty goals to push his side to a 13-10 lead at the half-time break.

Although Andrew Selwood – named player of the year after the game – pushed Emus back in front with a try immediately after the break, with the wind at their backs the Platypi were simply too classy in the second period.

Forbes lifted its intensity at the breakdown and the rulings of referee Pete Thomas swung its way as a result – the penalty count finishing 12-4 in favour of the Platypi, thanks to that tenacious work at the ruck.

Coles, Forbes’ rampaging No.8, bullied his way over about 15 minutes into the half and former NSW Country Cockatoo Fangupo dived over not long after, pushing Forbes’ lead to 25-17 with 15 to go.

Staniforth landed a penalty while Brockmann missed a couple, keeping the greens in touch at 25-20.

But the Forbes fullback’s boot was true went it mattered most, he nailed one more three-pointer to push his side’s lead back to eight points, ultimately sealing the title win.

Considering the trio’s performances, it would be nigh on impossible to split Coles, Fangupo and Hall for man-of-the-match honours.

All the Platypi props – Kyle Sharpe, Charlie French, Jake Cutler and Cam Bennett – were magnificent too.

For basically the first time in three seasons Emus’ scrum went backwards at different stages, and was penalised late in the second half too, sending shockwaves through the greens’ bench.

For the hosts, Selwood was at his unpredictable best, Staniforth did his best to spark the side and hooker Tom Goolagong was excellent too.

Fortunately for the Emus club in its 70th year it wasn’t all doom and gloom, the greens’ second grade side prevailed.

Emus won the reserve grade title with a 21-16 victory over Bathurst Bulldogs, despite being down to 13 men for 10 minutes.

The excellent defensive effort combined with a Matt Findlay double inspired the victory, one which came after back-to-back reserve grade grand final losses.

Orange City won the third grade premiership with a 25-3 victory over Bulldogs, while the Bathurst club won its third straight colts title. Bulldogs beat Orange City 12-11 in the under 20s decider, thanks to a try on full-time.

Bulldogs also won the women’s title, a massive win considering 2017 was the Bathurst club’s first foray into women’s rugby.