CSU denied by Parkes Boars in battle for New Holland Agriculture grand final spot

Somehow Rogers recovered to pick up the ball and drop kick home his conversion in the face of a charging CSU wall, making it 34-all at full-time.

The Boars went on to find the winning try in the second period of extra-time at Northparkes Oval to send their home crowd into raptures and end the students’ incredible season in heartbreaking fashion.

It had been an entertaining back and forth contest but towards the end of regular time CSU had begun to assert their dominance over the Boars.

The students had a grand final appearance against the Narromine Gorillas in their sights but CSU coach Luke Kelly watched on as his side came up desperately short.

“The ball fell off the tee twice and, because you only get 60 seconds to kick it, we charged up but then he drop kicked it. It was so clutch,” Kelly said.

“With two minutes go in the second period of extra-time they scored and unfortunately that’s all she wrote.

“They were stacked and had players we hadn’t seen before, which we were expecting, and they were top notch.”

CSU had mauled the Boars 82-21 only a matter of weeks earlier but the students knew the Parkes side they’d face on Saturday would be a far more fearsome group.

That was evident from the get-go.

Boars got off to a quick start by bagging two tries in succession.

The hosts had been threatening to make an early getaway but CSU reeled back the 12-0 deficit to inject some spark into the match.

Parkes only held a one-point lead at half-time – the exact same scenario CSU found themselves in against Mudgee Wombats just a week earlier.

Boars started the second half similarly to the first, snaring an early try and a penalty.

CSU produced one of their strongest periods of the game over the final half hour to find a 34-27 lead.

In the shadows of full-time Parkes found their reply, and through Rogers’ magic moment pushed the game into extra-time.

CSU’s back half of the season had been something to admire.

The club sat last after the opening round of matches but found a renewed sense of fighting spirit following the university holiday break, leading them to a vital four-game winning run.

“Upon reflection there’s a sense of accomplishment,” he said.

“After that first round of games we were dead last and everyone had written us off seven weeks ago. But we came home with a wet sail and were two minutes away from a grand final.

“We’ll come back bigger and better next year.

“Fortunately we retain a lot of our first grade team for next year. Everyone’s really enjoyed their footy and has loved being around the club and each other.

“It’s still upsetting not to be there next weekend, because we know we were good enough, but it wasn’t meant to be.”

It was a record breaking season for CSU in the new second-tier Central West Rugby Union competition.

The season was their most successful win-wise since 2012 and the club claimed their first finals win since 2010.