A potential season ending knee injury to star half Joe Dwyer marred a stellar club day for the Parkes Spacemen against Macquarie Raiders on Jock Colley Field on Sunday when all four grades celebrated wins.
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The diminutive five eighth was carried from the field after 26 minutes and indications were that an ACL injury would provide a premature end to the season.
Despite the loss the Spacemen scored eight tries to three in a comprehensive 42/16 win to clinch a semi finals berth.
Secure in fourth position the spacemen head to fifth placed Forbes next Sunday to complete the competition rounds in a contest of only academic interest.
The arch rivals will meet in the elimination semi the following week for the right to challenge Cyms, Wellington and Nyngan for higher honours.
Parkes started the important match well with skipper Chad Porter sending Brandon Paige over after five minutes for the early advantage.
Six penalties in the opening 11 minutes reflected the tone of a contest which lacked the intensity and spirit of the previous match against Cyms.
The mercurial Porter, who had a hand in five of the tries to again play a leading hand, bombed high for the impressive Jacob Smede to score a brilliant try for Parkes to lead by ten after 13 minutes.
When full back Sam Dwyer retrieved a short kick it was 16 nil after 21 minutes, an advantage increased when the enterprising Charles Martin raced 50 metres from a scrum win for Parkes to lead 22-nil.
A late raiders try reduced the margin to 22-6 but the spacemen bombed tries either side of the break to keep the visitors in contention.
Parkes scored four tries to two in the second half with the Raiders, to their credit, remaining in the contest at 30-16 on the hour.
Yet again that man Porter was instrumental in two late tries to Dwyer as the Spacemen celebrated an important and deserved win.
Porter was again superb all over the paddock, well supported by Dwyer, Paige, Smede and the ultra consistent Jake Porter.
A healthy gate of $4241 reflected increasing public support and recognition for the club as the business end of the season is imminent.
The earlier matches provided plenty of entertainment but in the end Parkes prevailed to enhance their premiership aspirations in all grades.
The second placed league tag ladies won 30-4 in style and the juniors flew home to win 28-6 after the scores were locked six all at oranges.
Yet again the closest contest was in reserve grade when Parkes led 18-8 at the break only for the visitors to level with five minutes remaining.
A penalty goal in the 59th minute from Luke Clarke edged the spacemen to another critical success which had some astute critics suggesting that Dave Robinson's men are dark horses for their first title in a decade.
PARKES SPACEMEN 42 (Sam Dwyer 3, Brandon Paige 2, Jacob Smede, Jake Porter, Charles Martin tries, Jake Porter 4 goals) defeated MACQUARIE RAIDERS 16 (Kane McDermott, Justin Clarke, Eroni Turagatautoka tries, Bradley Spencer 2 goals) on Jock Colley Field.
Referee, W Barnes.
Penalties, Parkes 9-6.
Next Sunday, Round 14, Forbes v Parkes at Spooner Oval. First grade kicks off at 3pm.
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