Parkes Boars came close to spoiling the season for Forbes Platypi last Saturday when the two teams met in a very physical encounter at Northparkes Oval.
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Trailing 14-8 at the break, Parkes scored to lead midway through the second half before a late try to the Platypi secured the win.
Forbes went into the match in fifth place on the Blowes Clothing Cup ladder and needed a win to keep their semi-final hopes on track.
The sun made a rare appearance for the match, making for a great Ladies Day at Northparkes Oval.
Parkes received an early chance to open the scoring when the Forbes hooker infringed in a scrum.
The attempted penalty goal was unsuccessful.
After five minutes it was the visitors who opened the scoring when a handling error gifted Platypi prop Kyle Sharpe a try with the successful conversion making the score 7-nil.
After successive penalties for a scrum collapse and offside, the Boars opened their account when Riley Byrne slotted through the subsequent penalty goal.
Parkes took the lead when John O’Brien, after coming on to replace the injured Sam Standen, was on the end of a beautiful pass from Matt Hunter to cross out wide.
The conversion was missed. for a one point Boars lead 8-7.
Forbes hit back just before half-time when Jarrod Hall crossed from a maul on the five metre line.
The extras were added for the visitors to lead 14-8 at the break.
The Boars looked destined to regain the lead after Amoni Vae made a good bust.
Vae was brought down by a swinging arm that resulted in a Parkes penalty.
The Boars opted for a scrum and used the possession for Matt Hunter to nearly step through the defence on the Platypi 15 metre line.
The ball was spread wide to Dan Ryan who tapped on a pass to Darcey James on the wing.
James made good ground before being monstered in a tackle from the Forbes hooker that saw play break down.
A loose pass from Parkes gifted Forbes an intercept.
The Platypi’s James King made 15 metres back through the defence until a spectacular try-saving tackle from Amoni Vea stopped him in his tracks.
13 minutes into the second half, Parkes looked to have scored after a seven-phase pick and drive saw Amoni Vea crash over only to be held up.
From the ensuing five metre scrum, Parkes had the ball and with decisive play, worked the ball across the field. for Mahe Fangupo to dive through the legs of the Forbes defence to score.
He converted his own to give Parkes a 15-14 lead with 26 minutes to play.
Forbes lifted their intensity as they saw their finals chances slipping away.
With 12 minutes remaining, Jarrod Hall pushed through the Boars defence to find the line.
The first conversion attempt was missed before Forbes were given a second as Parkes were deemed to have verbally intimidated the kicker from behind the line.
Down by six points, Parkes dominated the play.
Numerous penalties against Forbes stopped any flow the Boars could put together.
Try as they would, the Boars couldn’t crack the Platypi defence again as the visitors held on for an important 21-15 win.
Amoni Vea received three Best and Fairest points and Players’ Player after an excellent game.
Ben Ryan (2), Sam Denison (1), Max Keith (1) and Grant Lowe (1) all recieved Best and fairest points.
This Saturday is the Boars’ last home game as they take on Cowra at Northparkes Oval.
