Titles in 2010 and 2013, together with narrow losses in 2009, 2011 and 2014, all to CYMS, will be in the Spacemen’s memory bank as they prepare for yet another tilt with CYMS next Sunday at Caltex Park.

Dennis Moran’s men produced fighting qualities and a committed defensive effort to subdue the Cowboys as tempers frayed in a frenetic final quarter.

Despite a territorial and possession disadvantage, the Spacemen scored five tries to lead 28-4 after 50 minutes.

But, after Parkes led 6-2 in the penalty stakes, the Cowboys received eight of the remaining nine to place tremendous pressure on the Parkes defence.

Three unanswered tries reduced the lead to 28-20, but Moran’s men were not to be denied and deserve the chance to claim the Spacemen’s 10th first grade title.

Moran and his halves partner Alex Prout were superb, centre Kevin Frank produced a first half blinder and up front Brandon Tago and Tino Ionatana were dynamic.

All the players could hold their heads high for a herculean effort, especially in defence, in a hostile environment.

With CYMS having played only once in a month, Moran remains quietly confident he can lower their colours in the premiership decider.

To cap a great day for the club, the ladies League Tag team triumphed in extra time to set up a grand final with the unbeaten Westside.

Parkes went into the match against the Cowboys without Sam Dwyer and Hayden Robinson, but welcomed the inclusion of Nick Bligh and George Wright.

The Spacemen started with plenty of composure and confidence, an Ionatana grubber earning a restart from which Tago running wide of the ruck burst over for the opening try.

With centre Kevin Frank prominent with a series of important tackles, the Spacemen were forced to defend grimly after inviting the Cowboys into the match on the back of unforced errors.

Against the run of play the Spacemen scored again after 17 minutes with Frank and Tago prominent in the build up for the diminutive Prout to score beside the posts.

Jesse Parker obliged for 10-0 which became 12-0 when referee Troy Warner ruled an eight point try for illegal attention to Prout in scoring the try.

Successive penalties inside the Parkes 10 again stretched the Spacemen defensive line which proved equal to the challenge.

Eventually the avalanche of territory and possession enabled Justin Toomey-White to score the Cowboys opening try after 26 minutes for 12-4.

Another superb Frank bust almost produced a long range try, Moran unable to hold a difficult pass with the defence stretched.

Three minutes later Moran was again denied in the corner after Frank made another midfield break.

Finally Moran put Prout over for his second try after 35 minutes for 16-4, fitting reward for the Spacemen’s attacking flair and structure.

Despite an error from the restart, Parkes worked play downfield after their third penalty for an important try on the half-time siren.

Moran, Ionatana and Tago were prominent as Jordan Pope stretched out to score beside the posts.

Moran goaled for 22-4 at oranges, a lead extended to 28-4 two minutes after play resumed.

On the back of a rampaging 30 metre bust from Zarin Barber, Moran kicked on the third tackle and regathered beside the posts.

Against the run of play, the Cowboys regrouped with a Smith try in the 50th minute for 28-10 as the game opened up.

A Staggs try from a Williams sixth tackle bomb after 65 minutes reduced the margin to 28-14 with Williams’ conversion striking the upright.

A Williams show and go after 71 minutes made it 28-20 as both sides braced for a grandstand finish.

Successive penalties enabled the Cowboys to exert tremendous pressure as the minutes ticked by and the Parkes defence lifted appreciably.

With three minutes left, tempers frayed and four players, including Parkes’ Dave Masoe, were binned.

In a chaotic conclusion another Cowboys player was marched on the siren as referee Warner called a halt to confirm another Spacemen grand final appointment.

The victory came on a day when the Spacemen mourned the passing of the iconic Australian Aboriginal team of the century winger Wally McArthur, a prolific points scorer for the club in the mid-sixties.

PARKES  28 (A. Prout 2, D. Moran, J. Pope, B. Tago tries; Moran 2, Parker 2 goals) defeated WELLINGTON 20 (K. Staggs, N. Smith, J. Toomey-White , J. Williams tries; Williams 2 goals).

Referee, Troy Warner. Penalties - Wellington 10-7. Gate - $10,406.