DUBBO Macquarie's finals hopes were dealt another blow on Sunday when they were defeated by the Parkes Spacemen in horrendous conditions at Pioneer Oval.
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The Spacemen were rarely troubled as they recorded a seven tries to two victory which sees them move level with CYMS again at the top of the Group 11 ladder.
While Parkes and CYMS remain locked on 27 points, Parkes are top due to a superior percentage.
Dennis Moran provided another masterclass on Sunday while the return of Brendan Tago up front was another telling factor in the win.
The loss means the Raiders remain seventh and with only four rounds remaining their hopes of appearing in the 2015 finals series are fading fast.
Parkes centre Kevin Frank scored the first two tries of the day, firstly working off Moran and Jordan Pope on a narrow blind firstly before then linking up with Sam Dwyer.
A dislodged ball gifted Dwyer the third try beside the posts after 26 minutes to extend the lead but Macquarie hit back through a try to youngster Phil Combridge.
The Raiders went into the break down 18-6 after a dropped ball allowed Parkes winger Brandon Paige to race 90m and score.
Moran got in on the action shortly after the break, running off a short ball from Tago before selling a superb dummy to Macquarie fullback Mason Williams.
On the hour mark, Parkes went to 30-6 when a Moran grubber was regathered by Billy Burns who strolled unopposed for his debut try in senior company.
The durable Pope, in red-hot form, evaded six defenders in a 40m bust for Parkes' seventh try and a 36-6 lead as hardy patrons header for the exits.
In the final quarter hour, the Raiders scored a consolation try through the hard-working Perry Meredith to reduce the margin to 24 points but when referee John Francis called time as a rainbow glowed on the eastern horizon it was Parkes celebrating.
PARKES SPACEMEN 36 (Kevin Frank 2, Sam Dwyer, Brandon Paige, Jordan Pope, Billy Burns, Dennis Moran tries; Moran 4 goals) defeated DUBBO MACQUARIE 12 (Perry Meredith, Phil Combridge tries; Mason Williams 2 goals).