Still sitting pretty in equal first place on the ladder with CYMS, Parkes Spacemen face the tough road trip to take on the Nyngan Tigers this Sunday.
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The Spacemen’s unbeaten start to the season goes on the line again with the trip out west notoriously difficult for all teams.
In the corresponding match last season, the Spacemen suffered a 29-22 loss in what was a scrappy affair.
Coming their 26-all thriller with CYMS last week, captain-coach Dennis Moran believes his side still has areas to improve.
“There were definitely positives to take out of last weekend, but we still have a long way to go to be at our best,” Moran said.
“I was very happy we retained our composure last week against CYMS, even after we went behind.
“It would have been very easy to drop our heads or to panic,” he said.
The Spacemen attack is in fine fettle with the Parkes side boasting two players in the top five try-scorers so far this season.
Fullback Sam Dwyer has been in career best form and leads the competition with nine tries.
Moran is in fifth spot with six tries and leads the goal-kickers with 28 two pointers to date.
He is also top of the overall point scorers with 80.
Despite this, Moran sees a need for improvement from his charges.
“Our execution is still not where it needs to be but we are getting there.
“Sometimes our decision making can let us down and we turn over possession.
“We saw what happens when you gift good teams possession with how CYMS came at us last Sunday.
“It is something we will hope to improve against Nyngan on Sunday,” he said.
The Spacemen are conceding just over 21 points per game so far this season including 26 points against CYMS and Westside, and 28 against Wellington.
Moran knows it is defence which gets teams through tight matches and was reasonably pleased with his side last week.
“We defended very well in patches but need to turn that into an 80 minute performance,” he said.
“At times we were probably out enthused and the boys are well aware we need to put in 100 per cent for the full game.
“We have practiced hard this week in an effort to rectify these issues.
“Everyone one at the club is keen for an improved performance this week.”
