In their first hit-out of the year, the Parkes Spacemen were just one win short of taking out the West Wyalong Knockout.
If the Friday-Saturday competition is anything to go by, it looks like we're in for another cracker of a season in the Peter McDonald Premiership.
The 52nd Annual West Wyalong Rugby League Knockout involved teams from West Wyalong, Parkes, Forbes, Orange, Young, Wagga, Leeton, Yanco, Cooma, Woden Valley and Bombala for another sensational display of bush footy.
Eager to strap on the boots and get in their first proper run ahead of the season, Parkes faced the hosts in the first match on Friday night.
It was a bit of a nervous start to the knockout for the red, white and blue.
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Described as a low-scoring affair, the Spacies drew 6-all with West Wyalong but were given the green light to move on as they scored the first try of the match.
Next up was against fellow PMP team Orang Cyms in what they described as a physical game.
"The boys have come out on top, 8-6 win in the quarters on Saturday," the Spacies reported on social media.
They stepped up to face arch rivals the Forbes Magpies at 7.10pm Saturday night.
"Some individual brilliance, tough gritty play from the whole team and a buzzer-beater gets us the win over Forbes and into the WWKO final," the Spacies reported in real time.
They won 18-12 against Forbes and met Wagga South City Bulls in the final, who proved too strong for the Spacemen.
The Bulls were crowned the 2025 West Wyalong Knockout champions with a 12-6 victory.
"Not the result we wanted but proud of the team on the efforts the past two days," the Spacemen said on Saturday.
"Not long now until the real stuff kicks off."
The 2025 Peter McDonald Premiership season kicks off on 27 April and what better way to start for Parkes than with a classic clash with Forbes at Spooner Oval in Forbes.
