PARKES Spacemen earned a major semi-final date with Dubbo CYMS on Sunday after prevailing 26-18 over Wellington in a scrappy Group 11 qualifying final at Pioneer Oval.
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In a contest that never reached the heights expected of two top sides, Parkes scored five tries to three to eventually win after leading throughout.
Parkes led 16-12 at the break and scored two of the three second half tries to set up a showdown with CYMS at Caltex Park next Saturday.
Parkes will need to improve their ball control and discipline substantially, however, if they are to trouble the minor premiers on their home soil after they replicated their display at Forbes the previous week by continually inviting their opponents into the contest at critical times.
Led by a brace for Sam Dwyer and a pivotal first-half performance by the mercurial Dennis Moran, Parkes did just enough to finish on top of the Cowboys.
Moran's try and two goals boosted his season's tally to an imposing 236 points and he remains the key to the Spacemen's title assault.
Wellington captain-coach Justin Toomey-White produced an inspirational display, scoring a hat-trick and putting his mark on the contest.
Parkes enjoyed a dream start, posting the opening try on three minutes.
Moran and Brandon Tago were prominent in providing space for Sam Dwyer's 20th try of the season with Moran's conversion getting the home side away to a 6-0 start.
Enjoying territory and possession in abundance, the Cowboys responded 12 minutes later with Toomey-White's 24th try of the season after consecutive sets of six.
Parkes responded with precision, Dave Masoe and Tago prominent in the build up for Tago to provide a miracle ball to Moran after attracting six Cowboy defenders.
Moran made it 12-4 and continued to orchestrate proceedings, setting up a try for Kevin Frank to extend the lead to 16-4.
Toomey-White's second and a penalty goal just before the break ensured the Cowboys stayed within reach of the Spacemen but the hosts began the second half sensationally when a Michael Mitchell break and Jesse Parker kick led to Dwyer scoring a brilliant try.
Toomey-White sealed his hat-trick to get his side within two with 27 minutes remaining but Epi Sadrodo's try took the game out of reach despite some nervous moments in the final few minutes.
PARKES 26 (Sam Dwyer 2, Kevin Frank, Dennis Moran, Epi Sadrodro tries; Moran 2, Jesse Parker goals) defeated WELLINGTON 18 (Justin Toomey-White 3 tries; Joe Williams 2 goals, 1 penalty)
