United followed two early goals with a solid second half performance to run out good winners.

A Brad Gardiner hat-trick and Andrew Bourke double paved the way for United to win back-to-back matches for the first time this season.

Parkes started strongly from the opening whistle with the forward line causing the City defence headaches. 

The match was just four minutes old when smart lead up play along the backline allowed Cooper Wakeman to find a flying Andrew Bourke on the far post who made no mistake from short range to have Parkes out to a 1-0 lead.

As Parkes continued to sustain pressure on the City defence, it appeared the game would be played completely in the visitors half.

Brad Gardiner rocketed a drag flick past the City goalkeeper’s helmet for Parkes to jump to a 2-0 lead after just 15 minutes. 

United were enjoying the chance to show their supporters what they can do.

However, as has been the story of the season for the United boys, they started to drift away from the game plan. 

Parkes moved to more of a running game for the remainder of the half which allowed Bathurst to get numbers behind the ball and subsequently keep the score at 2-0.

United came out firing as Gardiner had another drag flick deflected off City’s post defender into the goal on a penalty corner. 

Bourke took his tally to two goals when he was found on the back post again by Gardiner to have United sitting comfortable at 4-0 after just nine minutes of the second half.

Parkes continued to probe the City defence in search of more goals, but as with the end of the first half, their play was rushed and eventually City started to create their own chances. 

They earned a number of penalty corners, ending with a slow bouncing hit from Isaac Darlington beating both Ben Hawken and Cooper Byrnes into the bottom corner for 4-1.

Parkes responded in the best possible way with Gardiner completing his hat-trick with a fancy scoop over the keeper from a tight 45 degree angle to restore the home side’s four goal buffer.

City were still able to create chances. 

Another penalty corner saw Parkes fail to clear after Byrnes made two great saves. 

City had a shot which hit the post before falling to captain Michael Willott who converted to take the score to 5-2.

City continued to push for goals as the game opened up. 

Fatigue set in, but the United defence held strong as the home side ran out 5-2 victors. 

Ben Hawken claimed Players’ Player honours while Hawken, Regan Hotham, Pete Amor and Mitch Townsend all picked up Best And Fairest votes.

Parkes United skipper Dan Wilson was happy with his side’s overall performance.

"I thought we had a good contribution from everyone that played,” Wilson said.

“I thought our forward line worked hard both in attack and defence and they were rewarded with some goals. “I've seen the work Brad Gardiner is doing on his flicking and while it is still a work in progress, it is great to have that option on our penalty corners. 

“Bourkey as usual found his way into the right spot to pick up a couple of goals as well.

"However, we did start to move away from our game plan as both halves went on and kept trying to go through the top of the circle instead of using the width we had early on. 

“When we have a team defending their whole side in our attacking 25, we need to recognise the opportunity to go wide.

"The last couple of weeks we have had good numbers at training and it's starting to show on the field. 

“It is just a shame we have left our run late, but it's good to get another win. 

“This week is our last away game in Bathurst to play Souths who are fighting it out for a top two finish.

“We will have to lift again to claim the points,” he said.