The Lions scored from a set piece to get the first points on the board but Parkes hit back soon after when Johnny Rathbone attacked from the base of a scrum won by the Boars five metres out.

Always deadly from that close to the line, Rathbone kept the home side in the game.

A penalty goal from in front and another try gave the visitors a bit of breathing space in a tight game.

Tohi Nusipepa, Sam Denison and Dylan Hood all were strong in the forwards and tried to bust through the Lions line but the Orange City season was on the line and they desperately tackled to snuff out the Boars attacks.

But never underestimate the brilliance of Joe Nash who can make the defenders pay with his elusive running style.

Nash scored under the posts and Ben Powlay converted to bring the Boars to within two points of the lead and give the home side a sniff of an upset win.

Ash Adams put in his usual tough game and was tireless in defence.

Orange City led 15-5 at the break, before Parkes fought back to trail by just three points.

Ben Rathbone was a wrecking ball at the breakdowns and consistently won the ball back for the Boars.

A mistake in defence gave the Lions another try when Parkes tried to run the ball out of defence, but Orange arrived in numbers to win the ball and score again.

This took the game just out of reach for the Boars and despite a grinding last quarter, never really got back in the game.

Best for Parkes were Joe Nash (players player), Ash Adams, Toby Baigent, Dylan Hood.

ORANGE CITY LIONS 29 Keegan Harding, Sam Coote, Cam Logan, Lachie Lingley tries; Harding 3 conversions, penalty goal) def PARKES BOARS 12 (Johnny Rathbone, Joe Nash tries; Ben Powlay conversion).

Other results from Round 18 First Grade:

ORANGE EMUS 29 defeated BATHURST BULLDOGS 5,

CSU BATHURST 57 defeated MUDGEE WOMBATS 12,

FORBES PLATYPI 31 defeated DUBBO RHINOS 5,

DUBBO KANGAROOS 35 defeated COWRA EAGLES 29.

Orange Emus 89

Forbes Platypi 74

Dubbo Kangaroos 70

Bathurst Bulldogs 64

Orange City Lions 42

Cowra Eagles 37

Parkes Boars 25

CSU Bathurst 20

Dubbo Rhinos 18

Mudgee Wombats 12