The Parkes Spacecats will have to claim another win to make it to the grand final as they went down to the CYMS in Dubbo 7 – 4 last Sunday. In the opening ten minutes Parkes had a lot of ball and made CYMS work hard in
defence to put on an awesome display of a quick league tag match. First points of the game awarded to CYMS with three minutes to half time, so at drinks CYMS lead 6 – 0.

Halfway into the second half a wall of Spacecats disallowed CYMS a try. They could not break Parkes in defence and kicked a field goal for the 1, taking their lead to 7. With ten minutes remaining in the match, Spacecats trailed by 7 until Demi Winter intercepted a wild pass from CYMS to score, and that was where the score remained at full time: CYMS 7 Parkes 4.

Playing on the day were 1.Claire Barber, 2.Brittney Ryan, 3.Sarah McAneney, 4.Hannah Kelly, 6.Ella-J Harris, 7.Sally Dwyer, 8.Demi Winter, 9.Katie Caldwell, 10.Sami Afele, 11.Emma Bayley, 12.Sam Cox, 14.Louise McAneney, 16.Emeline Lavaka, 17.Shayna Male and 20.Brittany Dumesny.

On Sunday the Spacecats play the Forbes Magpies for the fifth time this season for a place in the grand final.

By Kim Ryan

The Spacecats fought back with determination last Saturday to walk away with a 22-12 win against the Forbes Magpies in the first round of the lead up to the Group XI grand final. After the previous week’s shock loss
against the same team, the Spacecats played the game they wanted to play at Spooner Oval in Forbes, even though the first points went to the Magpies. The scoreboard lit up after a strong run by Sami Afele to go over, and a great kick from Sam Cox put Parkes in front by 2 with 3 minutes till drinks. Forbes took the lead again scoring on half time.

The Maggies started the second half firing on all cylinders and keen to get the first points of the second half. But the Shayna plane ran through the Forbes defence with Claire Barber adding the extras. Demi Winter took Parkes’ third and Claire scored from the sideline. Forbes tried to match the Parkes side and added another 4 to their tally taking them to 12.

Parkes took a deep kick into Forbes territory and Demi went over in the corner for her second to bring the total to 22. On Sunday the Spacecats play minor premieres CYMS in their territory at Caltex Park in Dubbo at 10:30am. The winner will go straight into the grand final on 11th September at Caltex Park.

By Kim Ryan

The Parkes Spacecats moved into the number one spot on the Group XI leader board after a convincing win of 16 – 4 over the Dubbo CYMS last weekend. Taking to the Jock Colley field at the Pioneer Oval for the Group XI second last round against the number one placed CYMS were

1. Claire Barber, 2. Brittney Ryan, 4. Hannah Kelly (C), 6. Ella-J Harris, 7. Sally Dwyer, 8. Demi-Joyce Winter, 10. Sami Afele, 11. Emma Bayley ,12. Sam Cox, 13. Codie Wakefield, 14. Louise McAneney, 15. Nat Gardiner, 16. Emeline Lavaka, 17. Shayna Male and 20. Brittany Dumesny.

In a game that didn’t disappoint the crowd, the Spacecats had the Fishes rattled from the first kick. It was a tough game from the onset with the Spacecats controlling their game. Parkes scored twice to Sally Dwyer and Shayna Male, and Claire Barber with two lots of extras. The CYMS’ only try had the half time score at 12 – 4.

The pace did not slow in the second half with the Spacecats applying pressure indefence and attack. The Spacecats’ one try to Nat Gardiner stayed unanswered by the CYMS to bring the final score to 16 – 4. The final round of the competition is in Forbes against the Magpies on Sunday.

By Kim Ryan

The Spacecats outplayed Dubbo Macquarie in round 10 last Saturday at the Pioneer Oval with a final score of 42 – 0.
All four grades of the Parkes Spacemen/ Spacecats wore black armbands for the passing of Toni Day. The Spacecats played without captain, Hannah Kelly, goal kicker, Claire Barber, and winger Shannealle Wyrzynski. Parkes made great ground in the opening minutes after Macquarie kicked to start the game.

Although errors were prevalent in both teams in the first quarter, the Spacecats shook it off before Macquarie could overcome the pressure that Parkes were applying. Sarah McAneney made good metres down the sideline, Ella J Harris ran through Macquarie’s defence to off load to Sally Dwyer who started the Spacecats’ tally. Ella was successful with the conversion. The second try came from Sarah close to the posts and Ella made it two from two.

A third try and conversion increased the score to 18 – 0 for Parkes at half time. Spacecats started the second half with determination to leave Macquarie scoreless with Sarah over the line for her second. Next up it was winger Emeline who went over in the corner. She did it again for her second after good hands on the far side from Katie to Sam Cox to her: Parkes 30 Macquarie 0.

The next score came from Demi after Macquarie could not get out of their half with a kick on the last with Demi running 50m to score under the uprights. Ella added another two. In the last minutes Parkes had the ball
with Coach Mick Dumesny wanting another. They did not disappoint and with quick hands and controlled passes, a great run came from Shayna who offloaded to Sami Afele to run it in. Ella’s successful conversion took the final score to 42 – 0. After round 10, one point separates first and second place with Cyms on 19 and Spacecats on 18. The Spacecats have scored 388 points with 48 scored against them so far. Cyms have not played 2 rounds and have scored 256 and have 42 scored against them.

The Parkes Spacemen executive and the league tag team would like to thank their major guernsey sponsor Parkes Services Club and Sleeve sponsors: 1. Simply Bellissima by Kim, 2. Cunninghams IGA Parkes, 3. Nicko’s Bricklaying, 4. Parkes GP, 5. Bunnamagoo Wines, 6. BMJC (The Moran boy’s), 7. La Bella, 8. Dippin Dots, 9. Parkes Mensland, 10. THD studio, 11. Parkes Railway Bowling Club, 12. Parkes Services Club, 13. Nangar Gems.

The Spacecats travelled to Nyngan to face the Tigers at Larkin Oval. Claire Barber began the game with a deep kick to Nyngan’s right winger and Parkes began defending early. Sally, who has made a great comeback after a few weeks off, made a great run in what was shaping up to be a fast paced game. Nyngan played well but Shayna managed to tag a runner, averting a Tiger try.

Captain Hannah Kelly had a great run with Ella J Harris going under the posts to score the first points of the game. Quick play by Parkes caught Nyngan unaware, with Shayna and Emma managing to tag Tiger players. Diving tags seem to be a speciality of the Spacecat defence and Sally and Ella demonstrated that multiple times. A bad bounce from Nyngan allowed Shayna to make a run and get over the line, taking Parkes to 10 with Nyngan still scoreless and a quick turnover allowed Ella J over the line again with Claire converting, adding to the score for Parkes.

Just before half time Nyngan were trying their best to put points on the board however Spacecats Captain Hannah Kelly sprinted 60 metres to dive under the posts making the half time score Parkes 20 Nyngan 0. The second half began with Nyngan possession before Sarah took the Spacecats lead to 24-0 after a try in the corner before Claire goes over again and successfully converts the ball to add 6 points to the score for Parkes. Another try was scored by Demi with Claire adding the extras and Hannah also went over with only 2 minutes remaining. Final score Parkes 42- Nyngan 0. This Sunday, the Spacecats are at home on Jock Colley field taking on Macquarie, please come and support our girls.

Jock Colley field at Pioneer Oval on Sunday saw the first game of the second half of the draw. Facing a Wellington side that had gained experience through the first half of the season showed as they opened the scoring after an intercept three minutes after kick-off.

The determination of each player was high and a few injuries resulted in Spacecats player Sam Cox leaving the field with a suspected broken nose, a Wellington player dislocating a finger and another benched with suspected concussion. The game continued and Sarah McAneney opened the Spacecats tally after a great run from Emma Bayley. The Parkes ladies had the urgency to keep the momentum after a great set but were left waiting on Wellington to kick for the restart.

Demi Winters took the ball and ran hard but a knock on gave Wellington possession andthe Spacecats had to work hard not to let them make metres. Pressure from Parkes saw a wild pass from Wellington scooped up by Claire Barber, which was kicked by Ella-J Harris on the last.

With Parkes still down by two Codie Wakefield replaced Emma Bayley and Demi Winter ran in Parkes’ second. Another error from Wellington allowed Sarah McAneney over for her second and again the Spacecats waited on Wellington to restart. Demi got the ball and made a break with a nice pass from Claire Barber to Hannah Kelly who set up Shayna Males first try with Claire adding the extra two. Half time score Spacecats lead 18-6.

The Wellington girls started the second half but Sarah McAneney quickly got hold of the ball and ran hard at their defence. A good set with a great tag by Britt Dumesny meant Wellington struggled to make ground. The urgency of the Spacecats possessed their play and Emeline Lavarka got her first touch on the ball but the Spacecats couldn’t get too far before the penalties starting coming. Wellington scored with thirty seconds remaining but it wasn’t enough to beat the Spacecats and the Parkes ladies won the game, final score Parkes 24 Wellington 14. The Parkes Spacemen executive along with the league tag team would like to thank their major Guernsey sponsor Parkes Services Club and Sleeve sponsors 1. Simply Bellissima by Kim, 2. Cunninghams IGA Parkes, 3. Nicko’s Bricklaying, 4. Parkes GP, 5. Bunnamagoo Wines, 6. BMJC (The Moran boy’s), 7. La Bella, 8. Dippin Dots, 9. Parkes Mensland, 10. Thd studio, 11. Parkes Railway Bowling Club, 12. Parkes Services Club, 13. Nangar Gems

The June long weekend marked round 7 of the local derby for the Parkes Spacemen and Forbes Magpies at Pioneer Park. The club wore white footy socks to support the cause against domestic violence. The under 18’s began the day with a gallant effort all the way to the bell. The Spacecats took to Jock Colley field at 12.30pm with all intentions of playing to bring home the win. Claire Barber began proceedings with a deep kick and with errors high in the first few minutes Captain Hannah Kelly in Parkes GP jersey made a great run only to be tagged by a flying Magpie 10 metres out.

Quick play caught the Forbes team off guard and BMJC’s Ella-J Harris opened the tally for the Spacecats after a giant step and dodge. Claire Barber added the 2. Playing as a team and backing up the runs Sally Dwyer sponsored by La Bella added another 4 with Claire adding another 2. Parkes’ third try was awarded to Dippin Dots Demi-Joyce Winter. Forbes put their first points on the board with a little over 10 minutes remaining in the first half.

With the continuing of the game the pressure was on the Spacecats, who defended their line and penalty after penalty against them. However, they handled it well, with Hannah Kelly running the length of the field to be tagged by a whisker out and Claire Barber over beside the posts. A fumble on the restart gave Forbes the possession within 20 metres and the Parkes ladies needed to work hard. Nicko’s Bricklaying’s Sarah McAneney got the ball and with some precise passes Parkes Railway Bowling Club’s Emma Bayley got over the line with Claire Barber adding the two. Half time score; Parkes 26- Forbes 4.

The Magpie ladies kicked to start the second half but Sally Dwyer scores Parkes’ sixth try quickly followed by another try by Captain Hannah Kelly with Claire Barber successfully converting. Parkes Services Club’s Nat Gardiner got her first try after a sixty metre sprint and her second soonfollowed. Final score 44 Parkes- 4 Forbes, congratulations!

The remaining team members also deserve a mention as they played just as well Brittany Dumesny, Katie Caldwell, Samara Afele, Brittney Ryan, Shannealle Wyrzynski, Sam Cox, Louise McAneney, Shayna Male and Emeline Lavaka. Special thanks also to the league safes Tim Barber and Tom McEwen, FAO Col Dwyer and Coach Mick Dumesny.

The Parkes Spacemen executive along with the league tag team would like to thank their major Guernsey sponsor Parkes Services Club and Sleeve sponsors 1. Simply Bellissima by Kim, 2. Cunninghams IGA Parkes, 3. Nicko’s Bricklaying, 4. Parkes GP, 5. Bunnamagoo Wines, 6. BMJC (The Moran boy’s), 7. La Bella, 8. Dippin Dots, 9. Parkes Mensland, 10. Thd studio, 11. Parkes Railway Bowling Club, 12. Parkes Services Club, 13. Nangar Gems.

The Spacecats were led onto Jock Colley Oval by Trevor Harper for round 4, which sees the first ever group XI grand finalists for ladies league tag go head to head. Parkes was sitting in first place on the leader board, Westside in third.

Parkes started the game and with great pressure got possession of the ball with Louise McAneney over for Parkes’ first. Westside kicked to resume play but Parkes brought it back to halfway with strong runs from Emma Bayley who got over for number 2, extras added from Claire Barber. After a set of six each the Spacecats third was awarded to Sami Afele while Westside were still scoreless. After the Rabbits set of six Emma Bayley dodged players, Codie Wakefield ran hard and Captain Hannah Kelly scored number 4.

The ladies fifth try had Demi-Joyce Winters name to it as did the sixth. Demi got the ball back from the dummy half and was over! An awesome intercept by Hannah Kelly saw her second, Parkes’ seventh, on the board. Westside were still scoreless and the Spacecats made sure it stayed that way working hard in defence.

Parkes’ eighth try and Hannah Kelly’s third went over after quick moves with ten and a half minutes left until full time. Nat Gardiner made some great ground and Ella-J Harris chased the ball into goal and tagged a Westside player. With only minutes left on the clock Parkes were still hungry for another. Fantastic final score of Spacecats 42- Westside Rabbits 0.

Parkes are at home this weekend against Narromine and it’d be great to see local support for our girls who have only had 10 points scored against them so far this season!