A rugby match played in Elvis jumpsuits is but one of the peculiarities of the Parkes Elvis Festival. But if you are a rugby fan, this is one match you should not fail to attend! This year’s match is set to be played on Friday at 6pm at the Pioneer Oval in Alexandra Street. It is a very informal buthighly entertaining event and any ring-ins are welcome to join in. Don a wig and white jumpsuit and turn up on Friday and make yourself known to the organisers to be part
of the Elvis craziness.
The recent Parkes Boars presentation night acknowledged the stars of the 2017 season with Joe Nash and Pat Jones walking off with the most awards. Joe received three senior awards for First Grade Best and Fairest, Most Points and
Most Tries. Pat had a spectacular year for the Boars Colts and took four awards for the Colts Players Player, Colts Best and Fairest, Colts Coaches award and Club Rookie of the year.
Ethan Kosef, who won second grade Players Player, and James Sellings second grade Best and Fairest and Coaches
Award, are both players to watch in future seasons. Another junior rewarded for a great year was Jason Lowe earning the Club Player of the year.
The Malaki Fisi’ilose Memorial award for Clubman of the Year went to Josh Miles. A popular award recipient was Cathy Ryan who received life membership for years of service. Cathy has been the seniors club strapper for over ten years and prior to that with the juniors tending to player injuries.
Cathy was also Publicity Officer for several years. Michelle MacGregor was recognised for her work with the junior club and awarded the Greg Connor Award for Junior Development. Incoming President Rory Nock thanked the outgoing committee in particular Jake, Di and Stuart Elliott who put in a tremendous effort for the club this year. Special mention went to Ed Lowe who stood down from the treasury position after four years. Allan Ryan received the President’s Award for Publicity and photography for 11 years.
The full list of awards:
Players player – Johnny Rathbone
Best & Fairest -Joe Nash
Coaches Award – Scott Chislett
Most Consistent – Lio Ilalio
2nd
Players player – Ethan Kosef
Best & Fairest -James Selling
Coaches Award – James Selling
Most Improved- Ethan Kosef
PARKES SPORT
3rd
Players player – Nathan Baker
Best & Fairest – Richard Webb
Coaches Award- McKenzie Green
Most Consistent- Jake Hodge
Colts
Players player -Pat Jones
Best & Fairest – Pat Jones
Coaches Award – Pat Jones
Most improved – Brad Burrell
Club Awards
Life Membership- Cathy Ryan
321 Club- Hoody, Jake, Lowey, Lio
100 games – Jake Elliot, Dylan Phillips,
Brendan Guy.
150 Games- Nathan Baker
Greg Connor Award for Junior Development-
Michelle MacGregor
Presidents Award- Al Ryan
Most Points – Joe Nash
Most Tries- Joe Nash
Rookie of the year -Pat Jones
Player of the Year- Jason Lowe
Malaki Fisi’ilose Memorial award for Clubman
of the year – Josh Miles
SCORING MACHINE… The Parkes Boars came within two points of the lead against the Orange City Lions, but just did not pull through to cause an upset on the Lions homeground. The final score was 29-12. Best for Parkes were Joe Nash
(players player), Ash Adams, Toby Baigent and Dylan Hood. Pictured is Joe Nash scoring for the Boars with his elusive running. (Photo: Allan Ryan)
Parkes started well and matched the intensity of the Orange Emus, but it did not take long for the polished Emus to show why they were clear leaders in the Blowes Cup competition winning 75 – 5.
Parkes had several new players and a few old hands in new positions against a team that showed the benefit of a season of stability and depth. The Boars played as well as they could but the Emus defended fiercely whenever the Boars attacked and were particularly good at the breakdowns using their large loose forwards to deny Parkes of possession.
Parkes defence was solid, and as the Emus had much of the possession Parkes were forced to defend most of the game. Joe Nash had a great game and scored a brilliant try twisting out of two tackles and beating a desperate tackle by Emus Nigel Staniforth to get over the line. Dan Ryan got over the line but was held up by a dogged Emus defence.
Leo Llalio was one of the best for the Boars and matched up to the big Emus pack making plenty of metres up the centre with charging runs into the Emus defence. Ben Powaly in the centres did a massive amount of defence and combined with Dan Ryan to put on some great moves to slice through the Emus defence.
No one in the Boars side worked harder than Toby Baigent who ran on at no.8 and has been one of the Boars best and most consistent all season.
By Allan Ryan
Parkes travelled to Bathurst last weekend to face the Bulldogs. An early lead after a try under the posts by Joe Nash and conversion by James Dean, was unfortunately not a sign of things to come.
After a few unyielding phases of play the Bulldogs moved the ball wide and began their scoring. Parkes looked good in attack with solid performances from forwards Sam Dension and Dylan Hood, but were unable to match the Bulldogs with their intensity.
Great defence by the utility forward Jason Lowe provided some of the biggest tackles of the day. The Bulldogs had an excellent display scoring nine tries until a 46m penalty goal from James Dean, which was a highlight for the Boars.
The second half was all Bulldogs with four more tries until Jonny Rathbone swooped on a loose ball to send Joe Nash over the try line and conversion by James Dean.
Despite another six tries scored by the Bulldogs, the Parkes players remained committed to provide a full eighty minute game with a final result of 123 to 17. The Boars can hold their heads high as they never gave up and played with unrelenting determination until the final whistle.
COLTS
A struggling Boars Colts could only field 13 players against the Bathurst Bulldogs with four under 17 players. Right from the kick-off the Bulldogs went on the attack with tries coming at a regular pace from a much bigger and more experienced team.
The Bulldogs played structured rugby with their forwards moving up the park before moving the ball wide and using their pace to out class the Boars to make the half time score 48 – 0. The second half saw the Boars defence lift when Jarrod Westcott, Jason Lowe and Alex McHugh-Douglas lead the forwards in attack resulting in a penalty. James Sellings deciding to attempt a shot at goal from the 40m mark to give the Boars their first points.
After a kick-off, Chris Selling gathered a loose ball to race 46m to score a well-deserved try for the Boars out wide. The final score was 53 to 8.
By Jake Elliott
A strong start by the Parkes Boars was to no avail as CSU secured a much needed win for the season. Parkes led for most of the first half with tries to Ethan Kosef and Ben Powlay followed by a text book chip and chase by Ash Adams. Unfortunately poor kicking by Parkes and a late try to CSU put the visitors narrowly in the lead at half time: CSU 21 – Parkes 17.
The CSU fullback Robinson did most of the damage to Parkes scoring several long-range tries and providing a solid last line of defence. Parkes was able to make line breaks through Joe Nash, Ben Powlay and Ethan Kosef, but Robinson repeatedly made effective last minute tackles.
At the other end Parkes defended strongly with CSU getting through Parkes out wide, but try saving tackles by Jason
Lowe, Steve Taotua and Jon Rathbone kept Parkes in the game. Ash Adams had a great game and was named Players Player. Although known for his physicality as a loose forward at the breakdown, he added another string to his bow with a perfectly executed chip and chase to beat the CSU full back and score under the posts.
Another player to show his versatility was Dylan Hood. A surprisingly nimble front rower with an awesome side step showed he can also fill in as a very capable half back and is a real asset to the Boars. Once again a disappointing second half saw CSU adding another two unanswered tries bringing the final score to CSU 35 Parkes 17.
By Allan Ryan
The Parkes Boars lost to Forbes Platypi last Saturday, but the annual fundraiser match was a huge win for CanAssist. The proceeds of a jersey auction, an esky raffle, a collection bucket and half the gate takings raised $6,500 for the charity.
Parkes played a game to be proud of, but Forbes bettered them 47 to Parkes 13. Parkes were the first to strike with Joe Nash just too fast and strong for the Forbes backs. Stung by the early try to Parkes, Forbes lifted and hit back with Matt Coles first of three tries for the day. For most of the first half both teams were evenly matched.
Late in the first half Parkes was in front and there was a faint hope there could be an upset. But just prior to half time two quick tries to Forbes saw them in control at the break 26-13. In the second half Parkes looked good in
patches with the forwards Leo Haviili and Sam Denison making good metres up the centre. Toby Baigent and Scott Chislett were solid as usual and Ash Adams was tireless in attack and defence with his usual brutish – take no prisoners – style. The loss of Captain Israel Symington at half time to a niggling injury was telling for the Parkes
side. Adams was well supported by Ben Ryan at No. 8 and they were terrific at the breakdowns.
Ben Powlay made several attacking runs and seemed to enjoy a bit more space created by Dan Ryan who was playing in the centres, setting up some attacks and combining with Powlay and Josh Miles to close down the Forbes backs. But Forbes was relentless and showed why they are near the top of the ladder.
Get ready for a big weekend of celebrations and football with the Parkes Boars 50th anniversary. The Club reformed in 1967 and has become an important part of the Parkes community. Both the old boys and the new, along with supporters and guests, will come together to reminisce about the good days and memories that were made over the past 50 years in the Club.
There will be a special Gala Dinner at the Parkes Services Club, kicking off at 6.30- 7pm. Tickets are $50 and are available at https://www.parkesboars.com
Guest speakers on the night will be current Wallaby’s player Tom Robertson. Tom was born in Wellington and spent his early years playing rugby union in Dubbo. Another guest speaker is ex-Wallaby Jon White. Jon made 24 test appearances and is regarded as one of Australia’s finest rugby players in the 20th century. He debuted in 1958 against New Zealand and also played a significant role in the rival of Australian Rugby in the 1960’s. In his early days he played rugby in Cumnock and he will certainly give a great insight into the game. The Gala Dinner is expected to be a great night, so lets raise a glass to 50 years!
Be sure to come along to watch the Boars play this Saturday against the Cowra Eagles at a home game.
By Taneil Thornberry
The Boars faced the City Lions in Orange last Saturday on a cold winters day and came home with a draw.
Parkes shot out of the blocks in the first two minutes when Lloyd Rogers placed a ball on flying winger Dyllan Phillips who bolted 50m scoring on the wing. A turn over scrum won by Parkes again saw Rogers take the ball. This time he turned inside the pack and crossed next to the posts. He converted his own and the Boars had a 12-0 lead into the break.
City came back with their big lock Joe Alexander pulling in a loose ball to cross for their first points. The conversion was missed leaving the score 12-5.
Lock Israel Symington worked his way to the wing and found the ball from a wide pass through outside centre Ben Powlay. Symington’s inside pass put fly half John Rathbone on the ball and he ducked, dived and crossed wide on the wing. The conversion scraped the posts but nothing added: 17-5.
City bustled from a scrum on the 15m mark and finally crossed out wide. Unable to add the extras, the score was 17-10.
The final 15 minutes of the match had both teams working hard. City found a gap after Parkes were down to 14 players and after repeated scrums fly half Keegan Harding crossed next to the posts. Adding the extras drew the score to 17 all.
City had a golden opportunity to put the match away with a penalty goal attempt right in front on the final whistle. The ball hit the centre post and bounced back into play to keep the score a draw.
Best and fairest points were awarded to: 3 points – winger Joe Nash; 2 points: prop Leo Havilli; 1 point- winger Dyllan Phillips; players player: Leo Havilli.
By Cath Ryan
With two straight losses each, the Parkes Boars defeated the Dubbo Rhinos 59 – 7 at Caltex Park on Saturday.
The Rhinos appeared to dominate the opening play with Ross Gilmore crossing for the first points plus a successful conversion.
Not long after Boars full back Lloyd Rog- ers crashed through the defence to score wide. The conversion missed. Sam Standen collected a great pass from the sideline run of Rogers to find the line on the wing, but the conversion went wide again.
Flanker Ash Adams was next to score after a fumble by the Rhinos.
Ben Powlay and winger Dyllan Phillis combined to run the ball 60m with Phillis taking it across the line. Lock Toby Baigent scored his first of three. Israel Symington was the last to score in the first half. The Boars took to the break with a handy 34-7 lead.
It took Baigent five minutes to find the line for his second try. The Rhinos tried to assemble their defence but the Boars kept finding a way through. Joe Nash was the next to crash across after dominating the centre field play for the best part of the match. With ten minutes to go, Baigent crossed for his third.
Aron Peters on the wing had a strong running game, while Rogers took a cheeky inside pass and ploughed across the line for his second, and converted his own with five minutes to go. The Boars still attacked taking the ball within 15m, when right on the final minute Symington put the ball on his boot and dropped it neatly over the posts to add three points and take the match.
The second grade Boars followed the lead and put on a clinical display of rugby to take the match off the Dubbo Rhinos.
Inside centre Dyllan Phillips, in his 100th senior club game for the Boars, crossed the line two minutes in. Number 8, Matt Parker added the extras. Two minutes later full back Pat Jones crossed for his first and Parker added the extras again.
On the 10 minute mark, Jones finds himself with the ball on his chest and he sprints 25m to cross on the wing. The conversion went wide.
The Rhinos found a small gap and crossed beside the posts and converted.
Half time score Boars 19-7 up.
The Boars kept the Rhinos scoreless in the second half. Pat Jones crossed for his third with three minutes to go and sealed the match for the Boars.
By Cath Ryan