Blayney 36 – Boars 0

It was a game of youth and experience with Parkes, featuring a few absentees and injuries, choosing this as an opportunity to blood some young and up and coming players into the side and in new positions under the watchful guidance of experienced club legends.

Featuring a vocal crowd, the boars were on the back foot from the beginning.

Despite showing some expansive and exciting plays, they never really looked settled into the game with Blayney opting for secure rugby over the frivolous and plentiful flair of the Boars.

This safe style paid dividends as they were able to build momentum and control the games flow and, more crucially, the scoreboard.

While the score tells the main the story for the opening game, they were phases of very promising plays and performances not to be disappointed in by the young players and experienced club members which is sure to provide headaches for the selections in future weeks.

Blayney 24 – Boars 31

Absorb, counter, bash, try time, repeat.

Both teams were reading from the same recipe in the feature game of the afternoon, having no real information on each other the first 20 minutes resembled a jousting match with exploring attacks to various areas and of varying styles to probe and prod each defensive line.

Blayney were first to strike and land, with an early try coming from some lax defending to finish off a steady and patient phase of plays.

While Blayney kept this approach for much of the game, opting to use some big carriers through the midfield, the Boars showed the vast and varied arsenal of weapons the first grade is blessed with. 

Through organised and precise forward drives, dominant midfield play from Rodgers, Powlay, and Marika Koroivui, the Boars marched forward providing space for Dylan Phipps to dash down the line, providing a delicious inside ball for Jim Sellings to pick up off his laces and skip under the posts.

Conversion: Rodgers 7-7

Gain, Blayney came out patient and sturdy, the Boars forwards, led by the flying wombat, Grant Lowe, gave a strong performance on his birthday to stop Blayney attackers in their tracks.

Yet all the wombats in the world would have struggled to stop the unrelenting and persistent attack and after wave after wave of hit after hit, Blayney crossed over the line just right of the posts.

What surely was an outcome of the levels work they had to put in to make it over, the Blayney kicker failed to convert the try.

Generously Blayney gave the ball straight back from the kickoff for the Boars to mount an attack. 

Toby Baigett finally found his feet and with his ginger locks flowing in the wind, he took flight, gaining 35 metres of a huge carry up the wing. 

Llyod Rodgers putting together a series of plays moving up and across the pitch before combining exquisitely with Dater of the Year Jared Westcott and providing a short pass to a barnstorming Ben Powlay to break through three tackles and elegantly swan over the line under the posts.

Conversion successful: Blayney 12 – 14 Boars

The first half just kept following this format, providing a spectator dream of expansive and physical rugby akin.

Blayney again worked it up patiently to score and Boars battering at the door through the forwards, before unleashing their backline.

With no fullback in position and a well weighted chip through from Englishman Llyod Rodgers, Dylan Phipps outpaced everyone and dove on the ball to make the game 19 – 21 to the Boars at half.

The second half display was much more confined and secure than the previous half with a lot of the play based within the forwards pack and neither team able to capitalize on mistakes and mismatches.

The only real difference between the two teams was the wind the boars were able to utilise well and an absolute ankle breaking, defence bamboozling run from Marika to dance his way over the line. 

Rodgers converted to take his tally to four from four, Blayney replied with the unrelenting, structured attack they had displayed all day, but following the missed conversion earlier and another now they found themselves level on tries but four points down and needing a try.

Undetermined and revitalised by some key tactical subs, Campbell Legman took the ball charging. Josh Corney kept his yardage tally ticking over and tackle count high leading the pack down the field and winning a penalty to the Boars.

The Boars opted for the posts and put the game to rest with a well taken penalty kick and took another bonus point win on the road.

Particular mention goes to Johan Ruzgas on his first team debut, with a solid and energetic performance in the pack, with many more appearances sure to come.

Blayney 24 – 31 Parkes.

This week’s game is away at Dubbo Rhinos featuring first and second grade.

The Boars train every Tuesday and Thursday at 6.30pm at Northparkes Oval, all levels and experiences welcomed.

The physical benefits of playing rugby go beyond fitness, improve and maintain essential physical skills such as hand-eye coordination, flexibility, strength, and endurance. Fun to play in a team and make new mates.

On the May 26, Parkes Boars play host, in a top of the table clash, against Narromine Gorrilas at North Parkes Oval for their charity game in support of Can Assist. This day features special one off Jerseys that are up for auction at the Coachy after the game to raise money.  As well as Junior rugby opening the day of fun and festivities with kickoff 11am. We look forward to seeing you down and having a great day out for all!