Bathurst Bushrangers Rebels secure major semi-final appearance with win over Parkes Panthers

Rebels were 20-14-134 to 2-1-13 winners at North Parkes Oval, ensuring a top two finish with two rounds remaining in the regular season.

Thanks to the Orange Tigers' defeat over the weekend the result has reignited the battle for the minor premiership, with both clubs now on 38 points.

If the opening quarter of Saturday's game was a warning shot from the Rebels then their second quarter was the killing blow.

The Rebels may have had a mixed first quarter of play but they still managed to keep the Panthers off the scoreboard while racking up 29 points of their own.

The visiting Bushrangers then went on a seven-goal spree to open up an unassailable 75-7 advantage at the main break.

Rebels co-coach Matt Archer said once his side overcame a frustrating start they never lost their rhythm.

"We put a big emphasis on the game. It was a danger game for us. They obviously knocked over the Giants earlier in the year so we turned up ready to go," he said.

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"Over the first five minutes the ball probably spent the whole time in the Parkes backline. We just couldn't keep control of the ball.

"We began to control the game after that and never really took our foot off the gas. Our run and carry out of the back half was really impressive and that gave our forwards good use of the football."

Over the course of the second half the Bushrangers' accuracy picked up as they kicked nine goals and five behinds.

Archer led the way with six goals while seven Rebels finished with at least two goals to their name.

Rebels will be chasing another big win in their final match of the regular season against the Cowra Blues to help lift their percentage in the battle for top spot.

"We've only got the one game to go, against Cowra, and we'll again be pumped up and ready to go because that's another danger game," Archer said.

"That will be our only game over a three week period so we can't afford to take a backward step.

"The win guarantees us a top two finish and you never know, first place might come about, but we're just focused on playing good football."

Rebels have now lost just one of their last eight matches on their path back to the top of the ladder.