The Parkes Spacemen Rugby League Club had its first team on the field last weekend when the women’s leaguetag team joined 19 other sides in the Western Leaguetag challenge. With strong teams from Bathurst, Orange and Blayney, coupled with the loss of a large number of last year’s squad, the Spacecats were expected to make a modest showing.
They first defeated the Burrengong Bears 16-0, thanks to a scintillating debut from wizkid Tyannua Goolagong. From the famous Condobolin area football family, Goolagong will be a favourite at Pioneer Oval this year. Parkes then defeated a plucky Canowindra side, and registered a third win against the Portland Colts side. Rookie India Draper
showed outstanding skill and vision. Claire Barber dazzled the crowd with her toughness and finesse.
A final pool match against double challenge champions, Orange Cyms determined the semi-finalists. It was all Orange with 75% possession of the ball, but they could not crack the Spacecats’ line ending in a nil all draw and a standing ovation. The gutsy Cats went through to the finals meeting the 2016 champions. With 12 of the 15 Parkes players under 20, they probably weren’t expected to repel the slick combination of the Bathurst Pats. With 50 seconds remaining, Pats broke the Parkes line for the first time, resulting in a 6-0 victory.
By Kim Ryan