The Parkes Boars are through to the New Holland Cup first grade grand final after comfortably accounting for the Narromine Gorillas on Saturday afternoon.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$1/
(min cost $8)
Login or signup to continue reading
In front of a healthy home crowd, the Josh Miles-led Boars didn't have the majority of possession, but they were clinical with the opportunities they had in the 32-14 victory.
Even the most fervent of Boars supporters couldn't have written a better script to start the game, when Blake Ridges scooped up a dropped Narromine pass from the kick-off and sprinted away to score under the posts with just 20 seconds gone on the game clock.
Just 10 minutes later Luke Bevan was also in under the posts after another dropped pass from Narromine - and it seemed to spark the Gorillas into action, with the forward pack crashing over the line following a line-out.
Despite having an exceptionally strong wind at their backs, and maintaining the lions share of possession, the Gorillas couldn't make it count and went into the break down 17-10.
The Boars must have enjoyed their half time oranges because it took just two minutes for the side to cross for another try, with fullback Jake Dooley's acrobatic finish giving the side a lead that would be almost impossible to run down in the conditions.
Narromine were still dominating possession, and pushing the Boars scrum around, but they just did not have the poise, class or experience to make it count - with classy fly half Bevan controlling the game brilliantly for the Boars as they cruised to a comfortable win.
Miles wasn't concerned by the performance of his forwards, and was buoyed by the way the side kept competing.
"Narromine had 70 per cent of the ball and kicked to the corner off every penalty and still didn't score from their set piece.
"Our preparation was great, all I asked from the boys in first grade was energy and work off the ball and that was the difference in the end."
Miles is confident his forwards can put in a big performance next Saturday against Mudgee, and lay a platform the talented back line can take advantage of.
"I think our set piece got better and as the game went on.
"Our forwards are mobile and very structured so I'm confident they will go well Saturday."
The Boars will be taking on the undefeated Mudgee Wombats in the grand final, though the combined margin in the two clashes is just four points - pointing to a cracking conclusion to the season.
In the New Holland Cup second grade, the Boars and Gorillas gave a glimpse into next Saturday's Grand Final, with the pair slogging it out in a tight contest.
The Gorillas triumphed on this occasion by just four points, and both sides will no doubt have taken a few notes on the best way to approach the re-match with it all on the line.
Parkes Boars 32 (Jake Dooley 2, Luke Bevan, Blake Ridges tries; Luke Bevan 4 goals) defeated Narromine Gorillas 14 (Luke Brown, Dylan Ryan tries; Doug Potter 2 goals)
Parkes Boars first grade Best and Fairest points
- 3 points: Luke Bevan
- 2 points: Jake Dooley
- 1 point: Dan Ryan
- Players player: Jake Dooley
Full ladies and seconds reports in this Friday's paper.