The rivalry between these two clubs goes back into ye olde Central West times, with hard and fast clashes, including grand finals, dating back to what seems like a millennia.

The match certainly didn’t disappoint as the teams fought tooth and nail to get their hands on the Red Cross Cup.

Both teams have been tipped to be up there at the end of the season and with wins in the first rounds, both Gorillas and Boars had momentum coming into the fixture.

Second grade was first game of the day.

Narromine’s squad boasted a team list dripping and oozing with experienced and seasoned veterans of the game within Central West folklore, starkly contrasting to the youthful and energetic line up of the Boars.

For 15 minutes the horns were locked and the arm wrestling went on, no team was giving an inch and all held firm against ongoing wave after wave of attacks.

Boars were first to crack, with a powerful run by the Narromine number 8 and a half break they managed to get behind the strong defensive line and with a well taken 2 v 1 situation managed to place the ball down under the posts to kick the scoring off.

This breakthrough seemed to change the game entirely, with new confidence found by Narromine and a game to chase for the Boars, the emphasis really went on the attack.

A few mistakes by some inexperienced players and a bucket of experience opposing them meant these were quickly capitalised upon and the Boars found the score growing larger and larger and the game slipping away.

Halftime couldn’t come soon enough for both teams who were visibly tired and bruised from a highly combative physical first half of rugby.

With the Gorillas up 21-0 at half, something had to change for the Piggies.

This change came in the form of fresh faced Joe Nash, the electric playmaker who is usually seen stumbling down the wing for first grade, making his comeback from injury as the standoff for the seconds.

Determined to prove his ability and claim that first grade jersey back again, Nashy took a crisp delivery flat on the line off the scrum half and found himself in open play.

Proving why he graced the first grade for so long, he cooly stepped the fullback to finish a delightful piece of brilliance under the posts to make the game 21-5 and put the belief back into the boys.

It wasn’t long after till he was at it again, this time Boars fielding a poor kick to touch and smoothly transferring the ball to the opposite flank and after a few big carries from the forwards a gap opened up and the Boars backline quickly sped through it with Joe Nosh, again, crossing the line to score in the corner. Conversion was missed, 21-10 and the comeback was on.

Unfortunately it wasn’t meant to be and not even the return of our glorious and adored president, Rory Nock, could rally the troops.

Narromine managed to rally, and by keeping the ball close in their possession and injuries to some Parkes players, they stemmed the free flowing rugby of the Boars and used experience and size to extend their lead and finish the day winners 31-10.

Overall it was a fantastic and hearty display from a young Parkes side with some great performances across the team, especially Dylan Anderson who was playing his first ever game of rugby.

The team atmosphere and grit against an experienced Narromine side displayed grand final potential.

The first grade game following was no different.

From the very first minute it showed its colours as a physical contest with Josh Miles catching the kick off before being folded in half by a scything hit by the Narromine openside who promptly turned the ball over, only to be picked up and driven back into the ruck by Nick Westcott.

Wescott then returned the favour, turning the ball back over to the Boars. Ouch.

This didn’t relent as the game progressed with both teams keen to gain the upper hand and assert themselves.

The arm wrestle for possession and territory was only broken after a powerful run by young Grant Lowe.

Lowe was brought down by his own teammate, Scott Chislet, in a miscommunicated switch, freeing up the ball and allowing the Narromine Wing to seize on it and cross in the corner to open up the scoring.

Nice one Scott.

These were the only points of the first half but the crowd was satisfied with solid defence from both sides.

The Narromine backs tried to carve open the Parkes backline, but the combinations of Rodgers, Tim, and Powlay proved too organised and physical and rebuffed every attack with ease and aggression.

The forwards took the brunt of the majority, with hard running from Nick Westcott and Joshua Cornelison giving the defenders troubles.

Ben Ryan was terrific on defence, proving again why mobile props are essential.

He defended and knocked back many a forward hit up.

Just like the seconds game, Narromine opted for a forward dominated game with little progress in their backs.

The Boars showed their flair and complete disregard for their mates bodies and flung passess left, right and centre… and in the case of Powlay and Rodgers, their patented no look “loopey de loops”.

The game looked to be a low scoring affair until the Narromine forwards found a gap round a ruck and their scrum half bundled over an exhausted Parkes scrum half to take the score to 10 – 0.

This didn’t last long and Scott Chislet, spurred on by his earlier error, immediately took the kick off, delivering a crisp “Tom Brady” style pass to Joe Nash who screamed down the wing before pulling off an audacious offload to Toby “Seagull” Baigent who dove over the line.

Lloyd Rodgers continued his kicking form from the previous week and missed the conversion.

10 – 5.

These scores, along with fatigue, seemed to open the game up and both sides enjoyed some free flowing end to end rugby.

With only the handling ability of a slippery pastry chef Parkes Boars failed to score several times.

Narromine, although entertaining a fair few red zone opportunities, were much more clinical on the day and again slowly and surely crossed the line through their forward pack through a well taken, albeit controversial, 2 v 1 situation, adding shortly with a penalty kick.

It was a little too late for the Boars and despite a piece of magic from the welsh potato – who skipped through the defence putting toe to ball – the Seagull flew again like a gannet at a beach picnic and dove to claim the ball and score his second try of the game to finish it all 18-10.

Overall it was two gritty, hearty and well spirited performances by both Boars and Narromine in both grades and showed why these two are the teams to beat this year.

Boars will be hoping to build on this and bounce back with a home game this Saturday vs Mudgee at Northparkes oval.

Kick off: 1pm Seconds and 2.50pm First Grade.