In a weekend where other matches were cancelled due to ice, snow, closed roads and sodden grounds, the Boars braved the conditions to face off against Mudgee Wombats in a top of the table battle that saw the Wombats win by just two points.
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Running on the temperature dropped to 4 degrees but the showers had abated for the moment.
Josh Miles led his side out with Jarrod Westcott running on for his first grade run on debut to replace the unavailable Dan Ryan.
After the Women's and Second's had played the field was starting to wear.
Jarrod Westcott stole the ball on the first touch from the kick off and took it to the 22 metre line before being push out.
Mudgee controlled the line out to return to ball to the centre but a floating pass went wide of the man and found the mud over the line.
Parkes won the ball but a handling error saw Mudgee elect a scrum on the five metre line.
The Parkes defence held strong as the bigger Mudgee side pushed the scrum dangerously close.
Bevan found the ball and kicked to clear returning the game to the centre field.
First points were on the board when Parkes converted a penalty goal on the 22 metre line.
From the restart Ben Ryan took the ball back through the centre to put it down 30 metre from the line. Mudgee responded with a return kick and the game settled on the half way.
With 10 minutes to go, Parkes were again awarded a penalty for off side play. Bevan took his time and put another three points on the board for Parkes, taking the score to 6-0
Mudgee lifted in attack and after eight phases of play, they found the line next to the posts and kicked the extras, taking the half time score to 6-7 Mudgee's way.
Mudgee found the first points of the second half with a penalty goal from right in front before Parkes answered with a penalty of their own, taking the score to 9-10.
The Mudgee scrum improved as the game progressed, with a rolling the scrum on the 15 metre giving them a reset.
The forwards packed in and pushed before the ball spun out wide, seeing Mudgee crossing the line on the wing.
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When the pack lifted the bottom player was Mudgee so the Wombats were awarded the try.
The sides were evenly matched across the field with neither being able to find that bit extra in the appalling conditions, that saw icy wind and light hail.
After nine phases of well-disciplined play, the Boars managed to find the line for their first try through young forward Jason Lowe.
Bevan made no mistake, adding the extras with plenty of pressure on; and just like that Parkes again had the lead with six minutes to go,16-15.
Right on the final whistle the referee found a penalty for Mudgee on the 15 metre line. Mudgee's Brian O'Reilly converted the kick and Mudgee had the match 16-18 in a thriller.
Next week the Boars host the Dubbo Rhinos at Northparkes Oval with the winless Rhinos currently sitting last on the ladder.
The Rhinos will receive bonus points due to CSU's forfeit last round, but will be up against it to secure their first win against a Parkes side that smashed them by 20 points in Round 2.
On that day, sharp shooter Luke Bevan nailed six goals as the Boars forwards run rampant.
First grade kicks off at 3.15pm.
First Grade Best and Fairest points
- 3 points: Jason Lowe
- 2 points: Rusi Lawanikula
- 1 point: Ben Ryan
- Players player: Luke Bevan
Mudgee Wombats 18 (Todd Munn, Jake Durrant tries; Brian O'Reilly 3 goals) defeated Parkes Boars 16 (Jason Lowe try; Luke Bevan 4 goals)