The hosts took a commanding 26-6 lead into half-time after capitalising on a series of errors from the visitors, and a scoreless 20-minute period after the break did nothing to smother the Raider's fire.

"I think that was our best performance," Macquarie coach Steve McLellan said.

"We're only three weeks into the competition and I've been happy each week but today was one of those days where they put it all together."

The Spacemen got off to a rocky start when a dropped pass handed the Raiders possession 10 metres out from the try line. They capitalised, with Steven Leask crossing moments later to open Macquarie's tally.

Another mistake gifted Macquarie their second try, as a Josh Merritt grubber came forward off a Parkes defender to give the Raiders a scrum feed 15 metres out and Etuate Gusuivalu crashed over to extend Macquarie's lead.

Parkes got themselves on the board through Brandon Tago and Cameron Standon added the extras, but it would be almost 40 minutes before the visitors again made contact with the scoreboard.

Not so for Macquarie, as hooker Jeremy Smith pushed his way over from dummy half twice in the space of five minutes, before Viliame Turuva intercepted a pass and sprinted more than 80 metres to give Macquarie a 26-6 halftime lead.

About 20 minutes went by in the second period before either side made another mark on the game, with Parkes rebooting the scoring through Ethan McKeller.

One last try to Parkes through Josh van der Stock and tries to Raiders Timoci "Jimmy" Yauvoli, Damien Wells and Gusuivalu sealed Macquarie's win.

"I think we've been guilty of not playing for 80 minutes in our previous two games but today I thought that was changed," McLellan said.

"Parkes are a quality side and to keep them to 16 points, that tells us all the hard work the boys have done with their defence is paying off.

"They're a happy playing group, we're trying to create an environment where they're enjoying their football and that's starting to show but we don't want to get carried away.

"It's only early days but that definitely gives us something to build from."

Parkes assistant coach praised the efforts from both teams.

"I think that was our worst half of football we've had in the first half for a long time, but I think they stuck to their guns alright and they can only get better into the future," Parkes assistant coach Michael Dumesny said.

"Probably just our attack - we just couldn't hold onto the ball and the in defence their big boys were just running over the top of us.

"But Macquarie area very well skilled side and I think they'll go a long way into the competition."

Earlier in the day, Macquarie reserves were too good for Parkes, beating the visitors 27-10 in a heated affair which saw a brawl break out with ten minutes to spare and three men (one Raider and two Spacemen) sent off.

In the ladies league tag, Parkes hammered Macquarie 56-0 while the the under-18s Spacemen were too good for Macquarie 24-16.

o MACQUARIE RAIDERS 44 (Etuate Gusuivalu 2, Jeremy Smith 2, Damien Wells, Viliame Turuva, Timoci Yauvoli, Steven Leask tries; Damien Wells 6 goals) def PARKES SPACEMEN 16 (Josh van der Stock, Ethan McKeller, Brandon Tago tries; Cameron Standon 2 goals)