Dear Editor
Parkes turned back the clock on Sunday to present in a brilliant way two very different but compelling sporting events which served to showcase the importance of sport and tourism to our local economy.
The time honoured Woodward park, host to the cricketing greats of Fiji, South Africa and England in years past, took centre stage for a classic contest between the might of the reborn and reconfigured Bogan Gate Rabbits and the Parkes first eleven.
The Rabbits pinched the Chocolates by five runs in an epic encounter, the best Grinsted cup match in years watched by hundreds of ardent fans aged three to 96.
A kilometre away on the Jock Colley Field and the Pioneer Oval precinct, which have served Parkes and the region for almost 70 years, some of the most promising league players from Western and Monaro combined to showcase the best of young rugby league talent. The Monaro team also stayed overnight and contributed greatly to our sports tourism economy.
Congratulations to Parkes Cricket and the Spacemen Rugby League Club on reaffirming the high profile enjoyed by Parkes in delivering special sporting moments for the benefit of a very wide audience
Sincerely
Michael Greenwood