Parkes won League Tag 24/14 in an injury plagued contest, the Under 18s succumbed 26/16 to unbeaten Wellington, and the Reserves, boosted by a two try, four goal effort from the mercurial Moran, won 48/22.

Moran played the full 60 minutes and appeared to show no ill effects from the outing, his first since an achilles injury nine months ago.

For good measure, Moran’s first grade outfit won 32/6 after leading 16/0 inside 20 minutes in a lack lustre affair that never reached any great heights through a high error count.

Indeed only the diehards braved the conditions on a difficult day , although the gate of $2044 exceeded expectations thanks to the indefatigable gatekeeper Greg Morrissey.

After breaking his hand in a Group rep game in March, Pope returned with  great enthusiasm and commitment and played 54 minutes before retiring with a hand concern, but is expected to be right for the trip to Nyngan this sunday.

The first grade side went into the match close to full strength with Ben Nash absent on  NSW Police duty in Melbourne, and Brandon Tago an interested observer.

A new player, Zac bohan, from Orange came on as replacement forward.

The club celebrated the imposing NRL Under 20’s debut of 17 year old Billy Burns, who scored a try with his first touch in Penrith’s 32/8 win over Souths on Friday night.

In the main game, Parkes scored six tries to one to win comfortably, scoring three tries in the opening quarter and three  in the final sector against willing opponents.

Parkes opened the scoring in just the third minute, a long Cameron Standen break positioning prop Anthony Redfern to stroll over virtually unopposed.

Redfern was also involved in the second try after 11 minutes, finding Sam Dwyer who sent Alex Prout 30 metres for a good team try.

After Luke Clarke dragged several defenders close to the line, Dwyer sped 12 metres from dummy half for Parkes’ third try and a 16/0 buffer after the first quarter.

Consistent handling errors marred the Spacemen effort and it was no surprise when the Cowboys responded on the back of a penalty for their opening try by Jordan Stanley after 34 minutes.

Both sides were denied tries in the final five minutes of the first session by losing the ball over the line as Moran’s well-chosen adjectives reverberated around the Spacemen dressing room.

Ahead 16/6 at Oranges, Spacemen errors continued to invite the Cowboys back into the contest as the match struggled for momentum, discipline and cohesion.

Time and again Parkes lost the ball on the first or second tackle as the Cowboys lifted in defence, sensing the opportunity for an upset.

Finally and thankfully, the Spacemen controlled the ball and Dwyer stepped and sped 20 metres for a great individual try, Parkes’ first in 45 minutes, to break the deadlock on the hour.

Tempers frayed in the freezing conditions as both sides lifted in intensity and the Spacemen goal line defence was forced to work overtime. 

With the non-stop Epi Sodrodro  leading by example, the Spacemen kept coming as centre Ethan McKellar galloped 30 metres for a good try after 74 minutes to put the issue beyond doubt at 26/6.

A minute later Sodrodro ducked,weaved and sprinted 40 metres for a brilliant solo try as the final margin blew out to 26 points.

The durable Sodrodro, now in his ninth season with the Spacemen without missing a single game, was a popular choice for the Players Player award as the club consolidated second position with six rounds to play.

Moran spoke post-match of the efforts of his troops to retain their composure and to regroup effectively with the ball on the line when the Cowboys closed to 16/6.

Referee Troy Warner handled a difficult contest well, notably with the match on the line at times in the second half.

Parkes skipper Sam Dwyer, while pleased with two points, was confident of more success in the run to the semi-finals over the next month.

The win, Parkes’ sixth in eight outings, consolidated second position on the table but four away games in the final six will test the Spacemen’s mettle. 

Parkes 32 (S.Dwyer 2, E.McKeller, A.Prout, A.Redfern, E.Sodrodo tries; C Standen 4 goals) defeated Wellington 6 (J.Stanley try, L.Stanley goal ).

Penalties - Wellington 10/8; referee - Troy Warner; gate $2044.