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It has been a long time in the making but the Parkes Boars have secured their first ever home grand final after holding off CSU by 12 points in Saturday afternoon's entertaining semi final at Northparkes Oval.
The Boars used a typical blustery Northparkes wind to their advantage in the first half, and strong defence with their backs to the wall in the second ensured they came away with a 31-19 win.
Parkes captain-coach Josh Miles told the Parkes Champion Post before the game that set pieces were going to be critical against a strong CSU forward pack, and they turned out to be a huge part of the Boars victory.
"Set pieces were what we worked on all week, and that changed the game," he said.
"Even if they just hold their own without going forward, it just gives us stability and the ability to use our attacking options - which are our strength.
"We just gotta stick to our structure and earn the right to go wide," Miles said.
Parkes got on the board first just four minutes into the game when star flyhalf Luke Bevan found a gap down the short side and bulldozed his way over the line.
CSU hit back 10 minutes later through Aidan Kennelly on the back of a strong scrum but all the field position in the first half lay with the Boars, something CSU coach Dave Conyers was ruing after the game.
"We were our own worst enemy, like last time we were here; we conceded far too many penalties in the first half," he said.
Parkes were able to score a try and kick two penalties, taking their lead to 21-7 at the break; but with the wind at their backs, CSU had every chance to close the gap.
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Unfortunately for them, despite spending most of the half camped in their attacking 22, the Boars defence was almost impenetrable and Conyers was disappointed his side wasn't able to capitalise on the huge weight of possession.
"We lacked patience, we pushed the passes too much and just couldn't execute today; with that much possession we should have scored," he said.
"Parkes played well, they had a lot of purpose in what they did and defended well.
"We had a bad day, but that'll make them hungrier don't you worry about that.
We'll get some discipline back into the camp and go again next week," said Conyers.
It was brilliant finals footy from both sides, but the fact Parkes were able to score tries through Bevan and Josh van der Stok with their backs against the wall was the difference in the game.
Boars forwards Scott Chislett, Jason Lowe and Michael Thomas did a power of work, while Bevan and Miles marshalled the backline superbly to secure another grand final appearance - but Miles said the work is far from over.
"Big two weeks in front of us now; we have to have the same attitude, just turn up to training and do the hard work."
Central West Rugby CEO Matt Tink made a surprise appearance running the sideline, and he was thrilled with the effort of both sides.
"It was tremendous, a great day of bush footy; well set up, well organised and well played," he said after the game.
"The Parkes scrum has been bit iffy, but today they stepped up and that was a genuinely good battle.
"The grand final should be a great day out here, let's fill the hill," Tink said.
You heard the man, fill the hill on August 14 Parkes!
PARKES BOARS 31 (Bevan 2, Miles, van der Stok tries; Bevan 2 goals) defeated CSU MITCHELL 19 (Cusick, Mitchell, Kennelly tries; Cusick 2 goals)
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