PARKES Boars head to Orange to take on the Emus on Saturday in their first away game of the Blowes Clothing Cup season, hoping to build on their solid win last start against Bathurst Bulldogs.
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After a first-round loss from a try in injury-time to defending premiers Orange City Lions and the win against Bathurst, a victory against Emus will see the Boars firmly ensconced as title contenders.
Games between the Boars and Emns are Notoriouly close contests, and Boars co-coach Trevor Whitaker believes his team is up for a spirited contest at Endeavour Oval.
“We showed enough last start to give us something to build on for a very important fixture tomorrow,” Whitaker said.
“Emus are a good side and we will need to play well to get the points.
“We have had a lot of close contests with them previously and I can’t see any reason why it won’t be the same again.
“The boys are well aware that we are desperate for the points,” he said.
That desperation stems from the fact the Boars will be without their three NSW Country Cockatoos representatives - Mahe Fangupo, Dan Ryan and Amoni Vae - for all of May.
The club is unsure if their stars will be available past this weekend, although they are hopeful of having them for the clash against CSU Bathurst in Bathurst on May 3.
Whitaker understands the importance of Saturday’s match.
“The next two games are crucial for us,” Whitaker said.
“If we don’t win those and head into May with only one win while missing our NSW Country players, it could be very hard for us to be at the pointy end of the table come the semi-finals in August.
“Two good wins before those players leave would give us a good foundation to build on and some momentum heading into a tough month,” he said.
Parkes go into Saturday’s match with a very familiar game plan that has worked so well for them in the past.
“We will look to dominate in the forwards,” Whitaker said.
“Emus have a very good backline, which we will try to negate by keeping the ball in tight.
“Once we have the ascendancy in the forwards, then we can spread the ball to our backs who will use the extra space well.
“Last match against Bathurst we toughened up at the break down.
“Dominating there gave us the edge to win the match.
“If we can put in a repeat performance and play for the full 80 minutes, it will go a long way to securing the victory for us,” he said.
