The Boars were leading 16-12 with less than three minutes remaining, but City winger Cameron Cole grounded a Joe Alexander grubber in injury time to give the Lions a 17-16 victory.

It was a game Parkes should have won and the Boars couldn't hide their disappointment after the final whistle.

The home side had the upper hand at home from the game's fourth minute when inside centre Mahe Fangupo kicked the first of his three penalty goals.

The centre made it 6-nil five minutes later with another penalty.

However, the Lions were the first to score a five pointer when they won a Parkes line-out and second rower Josh Maley was able to skirt the sideline before barging his way over in the left corner to reduce the margin to one.

Neither side could change the score before the break.

Things remained tight early in the second half before Israel Symington was held up 11 minutes in.

From the ensuing scrum, five-eighth Johnny Rathbone sent the ball right to Fangupo, and on to winger Matt Clark who was able to spin out of a tackle and score.

Fangupo's conversion made it 13-5, and a penalty with 21 minutes left on the clock pushed Parkes out to a 16-5 advantage.

But on the back of three penalties, Orange City captain Josh Tremain was able to burrow over and score, with Mesui Lemoto's conversion making it 16-12.

Into injury time Parkes has possession five metres out City's line, but the Lions were able to pinch the ball and took it 50 metres down the field.

From there they earned consecutive penalties, took a tap and went right, with Alexander kicking the grubber that saw Cole score the decisive points.

It was a big game for the Lions, with only four of the players who won the 2013 grand final against Parkes returning for the 2014 season opener.

o ORANGE CITY 17 (Josh Maley, Josh Tremain, Cameron Cole tries; Mesui Lemoto conv) def PARKES BOARS 16 (Matt Clark try; Mahe Fangupo conv, 3 pen goals).