DUBBO Kangaroos have bounced back into the winner's circle with a 26-12 win over Parkes at No.1 Oval on Saturday, in the process earning themselves a four-try bonus point.
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After a string of three straight losses the defending Blowes Clothing Cup premiers needed a win to kick-start their season and they were rarely troubled as they bagged a pair of tries in each half.
Co-coach Scott Vaughan said the five points would not only help them stay in touch with the top five, it would also give the side a confidence boost heading into next Saturday's clash with CSU Bathurst, which is also at Victoria Park.
"We've just been ticking along so it was important that we came out today and executed better and I think we did that," Vaughan said.
"Our forwards were really good again today. They've been leading the way but I thought our backs finally started to gel a bit.
"We've still got work to do though. It's a long season but that's a good win because it keeps us within a game or so of that top five.
"I thought Shaun McHugh and Eli Kinscher were very good for us, as was Simon Murphy at fly-half. That was probably our most complete performance of the year."
The Roos got off to a flying start, with winger Vince Williamson scoring after some sharp lead-up play from lock James Elliott in just the eighth minute.
Charles O'Connor's conversion made the score 7-0 and it stayed that way for almost half-and-hour before Boars fullback Marika Korovoi crossed, with James Dean's conversion from out wide levelling things back up.
But the Dubbo side hit back swiftly, with breakway Eli Kinscher capitalising on the Roos forwards' dominance as he burrowed over in added time to give the hosts a well-deserved 12-7 lead at the break.
That advantage through the centre came to the fore again in the 57th minute when captain Shaun McHugh capitalised on a rolling maul to give his side some breathing space before he played a role in the home side's fourth try nine minutes later.
A cross field chip from Simon Murphy ended up in the hands of McHugh out on the wing, before he linked with winger Blake Sharpe who crossed near the posts.
O'Connor's conversion took the score out to 26-7 before Parkes had the last say through a try to No.8 Dan Ryan in the final minutes.
Ryan admitted afterwards his side was outplayed by the Roos, but admitted they were nowhere near their peak.
"We're not firing and we know that but that comes down to the fact we're probably not as fit as we should be," he said.
"Some guys backed up today and helped us out, which shows the spirit we have in the club but it's a matter of taking that and turning it into results.
"Well done to the Roos though. They took advantage of their opportunities and deserved the win.
"We have to go back to the drawing board and just try and get as many blokes to training as we can. It's still only early in the season and it's a pretty even competition this year so if we can get a couple of wins and get on a roll then we will be right back in the mix for the business end of the year."
DUBBO KANGAROOS 26 (Vince Williamson, Eli Kinscher, Shaun McHugh, Blake Sharpe tries; Charles O'Connor 3 convs) def PARKES BOARS 12 (Marika Korovoi, Dan Ryan tries; James Dean conv)