A side featuring a stack of young players managed to somewhat erase the disappointment of their SCG Country Cup exit to Orange with a five-wicket win at South Circle Oval.

There were a couple of nervy moments, though, as they botched what was looking a relatively easy pursuit of Forbes’ mediocre 155.

Cruising at 1-116, Cowra lost 4-20 before Nathan Thorn (15no) and Andrew Schaefer (8no) held off the circling thunderstorm to secure victory in the nick of time.

The result condemns Forbes to their first loss of the season after a successful foray in the second tier Country Plate competition, while also hauling Cowra to one win and one loss from their Lachlan Council campaign.

Cowra handed debuts to Valleys quick Isaac Steel and Canowindra all-rounder Brendan Traves.

But it was the oldest member of the side David Henderson, at just 26, who helped restrict Forbes after they were set for a challenging total.

He took 4-18 to clean up the tail as Forbes threw away their last five wickets for just 16 runs.

Henderson claimed the scalps of the heavy-hitting Adam Hall (22) and Daniel Bayley (20) after they enjoyed a brisk 39-run partnership.

Their demise brought an abrupt end to the innings, which was set up thanks to 49 from opener Matt Roylance.

Spinner Michael Curtale (2-31) was Cowra’s other multiple wicket-taker, while Nick Guthrie, Peter Guthrie and Nathan Thorn all claimed a scalp apiece as Forbes were bundled out in the 46th over.

Peter Guthrie (22) and Adam Pengilly (36) posted a 42-run opening partnership before Daniel Bayley broke through.

But it was the entry of Curtale to the crease which swung the game.

He received a life before scoring, and made the Forbes bowlers pay.

The attacking left-hander hit 11 fours and one six in his bright 68 which tipped the game well in Cowra’s favour.

The man who put him down, Mitch Bayley, certainly must have been regretting his inability to latch onto a Curtale pull shot when conceding 20 runs in one over.

Curtale cracked four successive boundaries, sandwiched in between a couple of twos, as Cowra took control.

But Forbes provided their late share of drama with medium pacer Hall (3-35) triggering a collapse.

Thorn and Schaefer then steadied to steer Cowra home with more than 15 overs up their sleeve.