THE continuing recovery of young Tyler Horton is the best news story in Bathurst at the moment.

The community held its collective breath when it learned that Tyler had been flown to Sydney in a critical condition after suffering a head knock in an Astley Cup rugby league clash on June 12.

He was placed in an induced coma and had part of his skull removed to ease pressure on his brain as his family waited by his bedside for news.

Few of us can imagine the anguish Tyler’s parents endured in those hours and days after that simple tackle went wrong, as they wrestled with the demons of not knowing what the future held for their son.

But as news of Tyler’s injury spread, the real power of community was revealed.

The Horton family was flooded with messages of support as the people of Bathurst rallied behind them.

People who had never met Tyler wanted to know how he was going and included him in their prayers at night. It was the sort of outpouring of community spirit that makes us all proud to live in Bathurst.

Sadly, this year’s Astley Cup ended in regrettable fashion when the officials in charge of the final rugby league clash between Dubbo and Orange had to end the game early following a nasty brawl.

It cast an awful pall over what has been a wonderful competition, and wonderful advertisement for the connecting power of sport, for more than 90 years.

So it’s great that the story of Tyler’s recovery can replace that forgettable brawl as the real footnote to Astley Cup 2014.

All the best to you Tyler, and your family and friends who have supported you through this trying time.

Your positive attitude and strength in the face of adversity is an inspiration to us all.