NOTHING was going to stop CSU from continuing their New Holland Agriculture Cup unbeaten run on Saturday, not even a forward pack so understrength the team had to play a back line player at prop.
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CSU's excellent discipline made all the difference in their match against hosts Parkes Boars, taking advantage of a one-sided penalty count and defending like the fate of their season depended on it, to come home 11-0 winners.
An unconverted Nick Plunkett try and two Jack Keppel penalties in the first half was all that separated the two teams.
The visitors extended their winning streak to five and have accounted for all other clubs in the competition - an unprecedented start to the season.
Given the way their opening 10 minutes played out it's hard to believe CSU could secure the victory.
"It's probably the first time we've had a clean sheet in five years or so, which is great, but it came with a lot of drama," coach David Conyers said.
"Three of our first grade props were unavailable, both second grade props got injured against Narromine. We had to put a backrower [Oscar Nicholson] into loosehead prop and he lasted four minutes before he twisted his back.
"We had a reserve player, Luke McHugh, who's about 40, come up to play for us and he was out there for about 76 minutes. We were so lucky to have him or we'd be playing uncontested scrums.
"Seven minutes in Regan Hughes pulled a groin muscle then at the nine minute park we lost our number 8 to concussion so we had no reserve forward from that point on. None."
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CSU still found a way to open the scoring at the 20 minute mark and it started through former Boars man Jonah Ruzgas.
Ruzgas made a charge through the middle of the field and the successful offload put Plunkett into space.
CSU needed to be disciplined with their most understrength team of the season on the field and they were up to the task.
A 23-6 penalty count against the Boars ensured the hosts' chances were limited, although CSU had to go through several extended periods defending on their own line
Within the 10 minute window before half time Keppel was able to add six more points to the score with his boot.
The second half was scrappy and chances were few and far between for a CSU side playing into the wind.
Both teams combined for 50 errors across the match but the visitors held strong.
"Parkes' ill-discipline and the fact they made a lot of first phase errors were the key things. Our defensive pressure was great," Conyers said.
"We had to work really hard. They had probably their best team that they've fielded all year, from what I understand, and the wind factor up there is another big thing to contend with. It was one of those games that ended up being really scrappy."