There's League Tag full backs, then there's India Draper. The Spacecats captain-coach scored a second half hat-trick for Parkes in Sunday's derby against the Forbes Magpies - with Parkes prevailing by two points in a thriller.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Draper was a woman on a mission in the second term, dragging her side over the line; with two of her tries coming beyond half way - underlining her superior running skills and agility.
You wouldn't have picked the 22-20 score line at half time though; it truly was a game of two halves.
The Magpies got off to a flying start, with Elyse Girot-Serplett, Hannah Demamiel and Courtney Hodge all crossing for tries in the opening 20 minutes.
Girot-Serplett was guiding the team brilliantly from the halves, with the Magpies able to make good metres and stretch the Spacecats defence.
Demamiel's try was as a result of some of that brilliant attacking flair, while Hodge got the crowd up and about with a try from 50 metres out.
She evaded three defenders before streaming down the left sideline, putting Forbes 16 points ahead as they held all the momentum.
Some of that swung towards Parkes after a Jorja Simpson try on the siren - but according to Draper it was clear something needed to change.
"Forbes are a really hard competitor every year and they really pulled us apart a bit in the first half, with some good attack," she said after the game.
"Being Forbes, at half time you really do get that bit of momentum in the sheds and we wanted it really badly after our performance in the first half."
READ MORE SPORTS STORIES:
Sitting 4-16 behind on the scoreboard, it took just four minutes for Draper to show her charges the way forward.
Defusing a kick on her own 40 metre line, Draper jinxed her way through the entire Forbes defence to score under the posts before she finished off a beautiful cut out pass from Simpson just minutes later.
She was at it again moments later, giving Parkes to lead after another 60 metre break - with no Magpies defender able to get anywhere near her as she rode the wave of momentum her side had generated.
Jus when it looked like Forbes would buckle under the weight of that wave, Jessica Ruge levelled things up for Forbes with 11 minutes to go.
It was all set up for Draper to stamp herself as the matchwinner and that's exactly what she did; drawing a penalty right under the goal posts before she duly slotted the goal from 10 metres out with just one minute left in the game.
It gave Parkes the win 22-20, much to the relief of a stoked Draper.
You couldn't wipe the small off her face after the game - and why would you try!
Forbes, on the other hand, were left to rue what might have been after their outstanding first half.
Parkes Spacecats 22 (Draper 3, Simpson tries; Woods 2, Draper 1 goals) defeated Forbes Magpies 20 (Girot-Serplett, Hodge, Burke, Demamiel tries; Girot-Serplett, Ruge goals)
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
Bookmark www.parkeschampionpost.com.au
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram
