Played at Jock Colley Oval, the Fishes fought back from an early deficit to record 26 unanswered points, whethering multiple attacking raids from Dennis Moran’s Spacemen outfit in the process.

The green and whites have now conceded just 117 points across their 13 straight wins this season, a trait that will no doubt hold CYMS in good stead with the finals looming.

“We’ve treated today as a first semi and Nyngan (next week) will be the same for us,” victorious coach Tim Ryan said.

“It’s two great battles for us. We started slowly out there but warmed into it, our completions improved and defensively I thought we were pretty good too.

“It never reached any great heights, but we’ll take the two points.”

Parkes, on the other hand, couldn’t have started the match in better fashion.

Ethan McKellar barged his way over from close range for the hosts, helping Parkes to a 4-0 lead after just six minutes.

With plenty of feeling between both sides in a first-versus-two contest, CYMS seemed to lift as the intensity of the match rose, hitting back thanks to an acrobatic effort from winger Hayden Howell before claiming the lead thanks to a Jyie Champan four-pointer three minutes before half-time.

With an 8-4 advantage, CYMS never looked back.

Further tries to Billy Sing, Jarryn Powyer and then Lincoln Kavanagh in the second half cemented CYMS’ credentials as firm premiership favourites with a 22-point win over Parkes.

Losing hooker Joss Cleal to a broken arm didn’t help Parkes’ continuity in the second stanza, but Moran was still left to lament a pretty poor half from the Spacies..

“We fell away and didn’t stick to the game plan,” a bitterly disappointed Moran said.

“You can’t play for 40 minutes. We’re coming down to the business end now.

“We’ve got to go back into focus-mode now ahead of Forbes.”

For CYMS, backs Colby Pellow and Jyie Chapman were strong, while Kieran Cubby-Shipp’s input from fullback was telling, landing a key 40-20 kick mid-way through the second half.

Parkes were best served by young prop Brad Gaut off the bench while Sam Dwyer was strong at fullback too.

DUBBO CYMS 26 (Hayden Howell, Jyie Chapman, Billy Sing, Jarryn Powyer, Lincoln Kavanagh tries; Alex Bonham 3 goals) def PARKES SPACEMEN 4 (Ethan McKellar try)