Dubbo CYMS captain Nic Grose expects to meet Parkes in the Group 11 league tag grand final after downing the Spacecats on Saturday.
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The CYMS tag side, arguably the best across any grade this season, was made to work in warm conditions at Apex Oval but two tries in the final five minutes of the first half proved decisive in the 24-10 victory.
Grose, correctly, predicted Forbes would win through Sunday's minor semi to set-up a battle with the Spacecats in the preliminary final, but she expects the defending premiers to get through that one.
"I'd say so," she said.
"I think it will be a really good game to go and watch, actually.
"It will be close and there's a massive rivalry between those teams. I was just talking to [Parkes fullback] Indi Draper and she said she loves playing against us because we just play footy.
"We're the same with them so I think it will be tough for Parkes but I think they'll get up."
While already having one eye on the decider, Grose was far more focused on her own side achieving its goals.
The unbeaten minor premiers didn't have things all their own way on Saturday and battled in the heat at times in the second half as Parkes rally, but they were good enough to keep their unbeaten record intact.
"It's been our goal, to remain undefeated," the captain said.
"We've got one more job to do and I just said that to the girls. It's one job done and there's one to go.
"We'll work hard at training and I'm really looking forward to it."
Grose scored the first try of the day and a fine Taneka Todhunter effort had CYMS out to a 12-0 lead on Saturday but when Draper when on a trademark blazing 80m run to get the Spacecats on the board the game was in the balance.
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But, in a key period of the game, CYMS struck twice in the final seven minutes of the first half to put themselves back in command.
The second half was a slog for both sides but despite the heat the defensive effort of both sides shone.
No points were scored until the final minute, when Cass Ward grabbed a consolation for the Spacecats.
"I think the heat got to us. We were just busted," Grose said of the lacklustre second half.
The defeated Parkes side now has to dust itself off for a bumper preliminary final clash with rivals Forbes next weekend.
The Magpies also produced a mighty defensive effort in Sunday's minor semi-final at Nyngan, keeping the Wellington Cowgirls scoreless in a gutsy 12-0 win.
"I'm excited, really pleased with the performance," coach Kristy Hartwig said after the win.
"They [Parkes] beat us twice, we've beat them once so it will be a tight hard game.
"We're up to the challenge and we've worked hard all year."
Courtney Hodge scored both tries in the victory for Forbes, who will host next weekend's preliminary.
MAJOR SEMI-FINAL
- DUBBO CYMS 24 (Nic Grose 2, Taneka Todhunter, Cassie Toomey tries; Tatum Roberts 3, Kimberlee Gordon goals) defeated PARKES SPACECATS 10 (India Draper, Cassandra Ward tries; Marites Woods goal).
MINOR SEMI-FINAL
- FORBES MAGPIES 12 (Courtney Hodge 2 tries; Amelia Davis 2 goals) defeated WELLINGTON COWGIRLS 0
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
