Dubbo Cyms overcame a 20-14 deficit to beat Parkes 32-20 in Dubbo yesterday to virtually claim the Group 11 minor title.
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The two competition front runners provided a spirited contest commensurate with the occasion’s importance.
After sharing 52 in a drawn result in their previous meeting, the great rivals again scored 52 points in another arm wrestle.
Ultimately Cyms scored six tries to four, including the last three to claim the victory.
Parkes had their chances, earning a 20-14 advantage before they lost momentum when the match was delayed for 15 minutes for an injury to Cyms’ Ben Marlin.
Cyms regrouped quickly from the stoppage and dominated territory and possession as the Spacemen failed to control the ball.
Skipper Dennis Moran suggested Cyms were the better side but the spirit of the Parkes effort, with four regular players absent, will ensure the Spacemen remain a real premiership threat.
A major concern in the Parkes camp was a biceps injury to star forward, Brandon Tago who will be closely monitored during the week, together with Alex Prout.
Fullback, Sam Dwyer, mercurial centre Michael Mitchell and the consistent Jordan Pope were among the Spacemen’s best.
Key forward Zarin Barber enjoyed increased game time and could prove a real trump for the semi-finals now only three weeks away.
The two early games provided absorbing contests although Cyms proved too strong in both.
Parkes Juniors were well beaten 40-14 in a sub par effort, while Parkes Reserves, beaten 26-16, were brave and committed despite a concerning injury toll.
Parkes fielded a new-look first grade side in the absence of Dave Masoe, Tino Iotanana, Ben Nash and injured centre, Kevin Frank.
Nash’s NSW Police Side drew 10-10 with Queensland in Newcastle on Saturday.
Masoe and Iotanana represented Samoa in the Pacific Games tournament losing a spirited final to New Guinea.
All are expected to return for Nyngan next Sunday on Jock Colley Field in Parkes.
Parkes opened the scoring after six minutes, a superb Tago offload to Prout sending Dwyer 20 metres for a great try.
Cyms responded with a well executed team try to Colby Pellow exposing the narrow blind side after 17 minutes.
Junior Billy Burns replaced the rampaging Tago as Pellow scored his second after another backline sortie.
Parkes regained the lead after 24 minutes when Moran floated a long ball to centre Michael Mitchell who showed size, strength and determination to touch down.
Successive penalties invited Cyms back into contention and hooker Bonham darted over on the half four for Cyms to lead 14-12.
In a fluctuating affair, the Spacemen again responded with Moran, Nick Bligh and Hayden Robinson all prominent before Brandon Paige scored in the corner for 16-14.
Parkes went to a deserved 20-14 lead at oranges when young winger, Jim Clyburn scored his second senior try, collecting a superb Moran kick to cross in the corner.
Scores were level eight minutes after the restart, again Cyms exposing Parkes’ right edge defence in a 40 metres movement.
Parkes defended three sets on their own line before Cyms took the option of a penalty in front of the posts to lead 22-20 after 54 minutes.
Parkes were denied on the hour when Paige leapt high to claim a Moran bomb in the corner only for referee Warner to rule he was held up.
The decision was compounded five minutes later when Ronanyne scored on the sixth after Cyms had applied concerted pressure.
With errors disrupting the Parkes cause, replacement Ilisoni, the former Spacemen, scored the clincher for Cyms six minutes from time.
A Pope intercept close to the siren provided one more attacking opportunity but Cyms held on for the important win.
Cyms 32 (C Pellow 2, K Cubby-Shipp, A Romoyne, A Bonham, Ilisoni tries; Pellow 3, M Naden goals) defeated Parkes 20 (S Dwyer, B Paige, J Clyburn, M Mitchell tries, D Moran 2 goals).
Penalties - Cyms 8-6.
