The Parkes Spacemen will be watching on when the 2017 Group 11 first grade grand final is decided after Nyngan romped to its first Group 11 first grade grand final appearance after securing a dominant 26-12 victory over Parkes in Sunday’s preliminary final at Caltex Park.
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Parkes had replacement Luke Clarke sent off in the dying stages, but coach Dennis Moran said his side’s handling, not its discipline, was the issue on the day.
“Handling errors in the first half, you can’t give anyone 22 points,” Moran said.
“That’s rugby league. It’s semi-final time.
“You have to turn it on week in, week out.”
The Tigers roared to a 16-0 half-time lead before extending that advantage to 22-0 early in the second period.
Parkes hit back late to give the massive Tigers contingent that traveled to Caltex Park somewhat of a scare, but a flick pass from Crete Waaka to winger Daniel Stanley to score late sealed the club a slice of Group 11 history.
Both sides botched chances in the opening 20 minutes of the clash, but the second quarter of the grand final qualifier was all Nyngan.
Half Jacob Neill opened the flood gates when he dummied, stepped and then barged his way over to score next to the posts.
Then massive winger Mitch Rixon bagged a quick-fire double.
The Tigers then extended their advantage to 22 points when Tunui Maurangi barged over from close range.
Parkes did fight back somewhat, Jake Porter and Joey Dwyer scoring back-to-back tries before Stanley’s match-winner in the corner for Nyngan coming in the 77th minute.
