"I couldn't fault our defence once, they really turned up to play today like we always do against Parkes."
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That was the opinion of Forbes' reserve grade captain-coach Isaac Nash after the Magpies beat the Spacemen to the tune of 12 points last Sunday afternoon.
With a big crowd in attendance at Pioneer Oval for the twin town derby there was a lot on the line for both teams - who were playing with boosted numbers thanks to the profile of the clash.
The other long weekend games between Parkes and Forbes:
The game could not have gotten off to a more perfect start for the Magpies after successive ruck penalties saw them march 90 metres down the ground, with Hayden Raumati scoring within the first two minutes of the game.
Both sides were conceding penalties and making basic errors early as the nerves started to show before second rower Toby Denyer went over in the 20th minute for the Spacemen.
After Epi Sadrodo burrowed over in the shadows of half time, the score was 12-6 to Parkes and the Magpies needed to lift.
According to Nash, they did exactly that - keeping the Spacemen scoreless and going over for three tries of their own.
"The boys really aimed up in the second half."
"Some games this year we've talked a big game in the sheds at halftime and not brought it out on the field - but today we were really good.
"Those first couple of quick tries when we came back out really highlighted that and won us the game," said a typically upbeat Nash after the game.
It was the defence, that was able to force multiple errors from the Parkes attack, that set up the 18-nil second half; though one play from Raumati in attack.
With 10 minutes to go a superb offload from Raumati - which was not too dissimilar from the exceptional pass from Tariq Sims a few days earlier in Origin - set up a try for Tom Maguire. It effectively sealed the game for Forbes, much to the delight of the raucous away fans.
Parkes Spacemen 12 (Sadrodo, Denyer tries; Ross 2 goals) defeated by Forbes Magpies 24 (Jack, Krause, Raumati, Maguire tries; Towney 4 goals)
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