The Spacies blew out the cobwebs with a 32-24 loss against defending premiers Forbes last weekend, the first clash of the annual Group 11 pre-season trials.

Forbes had enjoyed an additional trial in the lead-up – the Magpies beat Group 10 club Bathurst St Pat’s – which Moran says indicates his side isn’t too far off the pace in the pre-season.

“Forbes is going to be tough again this year, they’re the defending premiers and they’re looking good,” Moran said.

“But we dug in there with them during what was our first hit-out for the season. We didn’t let the scoreline blow out there at the end which is encouraging for me.”

In fact, Parkes did anything but let the scorline blow out.

With Forbes up 28-6, the Spacemen rallied to reduce the margin to just four points until a late try from returning Magpies speedster Pat Murphy sealed the black and whites its first win of the trials season.

Moran was thrilled with such an effort, pointing to his side’s conditioning as the key.

“Our fitness levels are there, it’s just our execution and timing. If we can sort those out, come round one we’ll be sweet.”

Parkes takes on Macquarie in the club’s second trial of the pre-season on Sunday and, for Moran, it’s another chance to gauge where his side sits in the grand scheme of Group 11.

“These are the games you enjoy playing. Macquarie isn’t going to be easy this season either,” the former NRL half said. “All of the boys are training well and I’m happy with how we’re progressing.”