The Spacemen’s third home defeat in four outings leaves them stranded in fourth position and unlikely to secure a second chance for the finals.

Wins in their final four matches are imperative if the premiers are any chance of securing a final three berth.

Spurred on by a healthy crowd on a brilliant winter’s day and a pristine playing surface, the Spacemen struggled all day for cohesion and ball security.

In contrast, Cyms produced far fewer mistakes, several opportunistic long distance tries and never appeared in real trouble.

Cyms led 18-4 at half-time and eventually scored six tries to Parkes’ three, two of which came in the final stages.

Injuries to young centres Cameron Standen (shoulder) and Hayden Robinson (knee) forced them to miss the second half but by then the damage had been done.

On the positive side, the return of impact man Bob Hunt, who produced 12 barnstorming tackles in a short time on the paddock, delighted the Spacemen brains trust.

As usual, Epi Sadrodro, Alex Prout and Tino Ionatana topped the tackle count with Pat Rosser and Dave Masoe leading the hit-ups in a match which never reached the heights expected as a replay of that epic grand final result at Dubbo last September.

The two lower grade contests proved lively affairs, Cyms narrowly taking the honours in both.

The Greens won the juniors 32-20, scoring six tries to four, while Parkes’ reserves succumbed 28-24 after leading 24-12 well into the second half, a costly loss in the minor premiership race.

The Parkes Spacemen first grade unit was close to full strength after Dennis Moran passed a late fitness test on his troublesome hamstring, but Todd Barrow ran the water.

With the opening two penalties and superior ball supply and territory, Parkes dominated the opening quarter hour, only to be denied tries to Ada Aparosa, Hayden Robinson and Tino Ionatana.

Against the run of play, a facet of football that happens so often, Cyms opened the scoring after 17 minutes, eventually breaching what had been a well disciplined Parkes defensive structure.

Parkes responded seven minutes later from a scrum win 15 metres out, Moran and Jake Dooley doing well to put Brandon Paige over in the corner.

The bounce of the ball favoured Cyms in the 30th minute, a short grubber kick eluding Sam Dwyer and gathered by Cyms’ winger Grey who raced 40 metres unopposed for 10-4.

That margin was increased when half Cubby stepped neatly close to the line, again on the back of a penalty.

For the second time, a Cyms kick evaded Aparosa and Dwyer and a following Pellow ran 40 metres to score in the corner as the siren sounded.

Down but not out at 18-4, Parkes lifted when play resumed but again Aparosa was denied from a Moran bomb.

Ironically, Cyms capitalised and quick hands put fullback Shipp over to trigger in effect a 12 point turnaround.

The horse had bolted in the 56th minute when Cubby intercepted a loose Moran pass and sped 95 metres for Cyms to lead 30-4, leaving only pride for the Spacemen to play for in the final quarter.

It started well enough with Aparosa scoring a deserved try after Ionatana attracted four defenders and then produced a superb short kick into the in-goal area.

Aparosa scored a second close to the siren to reduce the margin to 30-12 but Parkes were left to rue a generally disappointing performance.

CYMS 30 (D. Cubby 2, K. Shipp, C. Pellow, J. Gray, J. Tui tries; 3 goals) defeated PARKES 12 (A. Aparosa 2, B. Paige tries).

Referee, Nick Richardson.

Penalties, Parkes 11-7. Gate: $2658.

Next Sunday, Round 15, Parkes v Dubbo Westside at Pioneer Oval featuring the reunion of 1954 and 1984 premiership winners.