After last week’s disappointing loss to Orange City, the Boars put in a spirited performance to enjoy a seven point half-time lead.

The Bulldogs stormed home in the second half to claim the points, but the Boars coaches were much happier with their side’s effort this week.

Parkes coach Paul Moodey remained positive after the loss, pointing out it was an improvement on their season opener.

"We are still scratching a side together, we are rebuilding and this is what it is going to be like week-to-week until we can cement a side and get them training and playing together," Moody said.

"It was an improved effort though, particularly with defence. 

“We tackled a lot better this week and communicated a lot better which helps.

"Outside centre Sam Standen, he was a massive improvement on last week, he said."

The Bulldogs had opened up a 10-3 lead inside the first 15 minutes and enjoyed a glut of possession inside the Boars' 22, but then fell away in the run to half-time.

Their seven-point lead turned into a seven-point deficit and a Boars side who had been crushed by Orange City in the opening round was growing in confidence.

But the Bulldogs, who had also been less than impressive in an opening round loss to the Orange Emus, manage to snuff out any hope Parkes held of an upset in the 18 minutes which followed as they crossed for three tries.

Flanker Peter Fitzsimmons and inside centre Tom Joseph both scored early tries for Bulldogs, Parkes' only joy in the opening quarter of Saturday's match being a Warren Lowe penalty goal.

But when Parkes managed to score an opportunistic try - Sam Standen blocking a Phil Tonkin grubber then toeing the ball down field before crossing - it gave the Boars some confidence.

Lowe nailed his conversion from just metres in from the right touchline to make it 10-all, his boot working much better than that of Bulldogs' flyhalf Steve Locke who missed a much easier penalty goal attempt soon after.

On the back of a brilliant stepping run from fullback Riley Byrne, Parkes again found themselves deep in Bulldogs territory with six minutes of the half remaining.

He was tackled just short of the line by Tonkin, but the Boars arrived in numbers, cleaned out well and spread the ball wide to an unmarked Standen on the right wing.

Lowe converted to make it 17-10 and was unlucky not to further extend that margin with a penalty goal attempt after the half-time siren, his effort from halfway striking the post.

When Bulldogs returned for the second period they wasted little time in drawing level as Izzac Breen scored from a pick and drive and Locke nailed the conversion.

Breen was in again soon after and when Adam Dwyer darted over after a Bulldogs' scrum win, the hosts had zipped away to a 29-17 lead.

Bulldogs' forward pack were impressive as they hit the line hard and more importantly, were quicker to the breakdown than they had been in the first half.

It was a nice back line move that led to the Bulldogs' sixth try of the match, Locke putting Joseph into a gap with a nice flat pass, before Fitzsimmons sealed the result with his second try on the back of a rolling maul.

Best for Parkes were Standen, Warren Lowe and the returning Luke Freeman.

Parkes will take heart from the performance as they build towards a home ANZAC Day clash against Orange Emus this weekend with kick-off at 3.15pm at Northparkes Oval.

BATHURST BULLDOGS 43 (Izzac Breen 2, Peter Fitzsimmons 2, Tom Joseph 2, Adam Dwyer tries; Steve Locke 4 conversions) defeated PARKES BOARS 17 (Sam Standen 2 tries; Warren Lowe 2 conversions; Warren Lowe penalty).