A 'BRILLIANT' display at half back by rising star Tegan Smede led the Parkes Spacecats to a dominant 24-4 win over the Forbes Magpies in Sunday's twin town derby.
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The 16-year-old pulled the strings for Parkes as part of a dangerous attacking quarter with Jorja Simpson, Marites Woods and fullback India Draper; and the Magpies just could not contain the speed and skill of a well-drilled Spacecats side.
"We took that last game (Parkes' thrilling 22-20 win over Forbes on June 13) into this game, we knew they would come out hard so it was our main focus today to make sure we did start well," she said.
"We knew if we had a good start we hopefully could hopefully hold them out in the end."
Draper, despite being slightly hampered by injury, was at her electric best with a number of long, scything runs throughout the game.
Parkes were in again six minutes later after a fantastic run by Jorja Davis was finished off by Simpson, before the ever-elusive Woods evaded three defenders; taking the score to 18-nil at the break.
Forbes lifted after the break, with renewed vigour in defence and great attacking play by Elysse Girot-Serplett and Courtney Hodge keeping the game closer - something Draper said had been inevitable.
"We knew they would come back hard, it's Forbes after all, and while it is a little disappointing we couldn't hold them scoreless, at the end of the day it was all about the win for us," Draper said.
The story of the day, though, was the performance of Smede; who played with a maturity belying her young age.
Not only was she able to break lines with her legs, her passing was exceptional, and pushed her teammates into running some very dangerous lines.
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If that wasn't enough, she converted three goals with impressive power and accuracy.
When asked about her young teammate, Draper's eyes lit up as she described the importance of her role in the team.
"She's brilliant. She's a little one we've only had for half of the season because of her age.
"She trains so hard and is a huge positive for us, and ability to put her in at 7 (half back) despite her age is just awesome," Draper said.
Forbes went in for their first try through Hannah Demamiel with just seconds left on the clock, and the Magpies will now have the week off before they embark on their finals campaign.
The win for Parkes cements their spot in second behind a dominant Dubbo CYMS Fishies side.
They'll head to Wellington to take on the Cowboys next Sunday, with a big win expected.
The competition looks to be a three-way battle between the Spacecats, Fishies and Macquarie Raiders, so Parkes will be keen to take some valuable momentum into the pointy end of the season.
FORBES MAGPIES 4 (Demamiel try) defeated by PARKES SPACECATS 24 (Draper 2, Simpson, Woods tries; Smede 3, Woods goals)
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