Fans from both clubs lined up to watch the clash - from the warmth of their cars - at Spooner Oval on a cold and wet afternoon.

It was the young Magpies who emerged victorious at the end of a scrappy game - continuing an unbeaten run in the new competition to make it four from four.

But they worked for it - coach Brad McMillan acknowledged they "defended their way to the win".

"They were hard conditions to play in, to hold onto the ball," Parkes Spacemen coach Sam Dwyer said.

"The conditions didn't suit us.

"When we got in their territory and had the opportunity to score, we dropped the ball or let ourselves down," he said.

"But they're a good team and it was good to get that close.

"Hopefully next time we meet Forbes it will be in better conditions and we'll get to play a bit more footy."

Happy with the Spacemen's defensive effort on Sunday, Dwyer will be looking to sharpen up some aspects of their attack as they return to the training paddock this week.

"There's just a few things," he said in reflection on Monday.

Dwyer congratulated captain Cody Crisp on his week-to-week effort to stay out there for 80 minutes and lead his team from the forwards.

It was the Magpies who opened the scoring and it took Parkes until the second quarter to respond, but they did make the hosts work to keep them out.

The score was locked at 6-6 at half time, and the young Spacemen hit out quickly when the whistle blew.

They were denied their opportunities though and it was Forbes that found next points, Darcy Leadbitter collecting a kick to dive over in the corner. In the final quarter they extended that lead to 16-6.

A penalty late in the game gave Parkes the opportunity to bring the scores to 16-12.