LITHGOW WORKIES 28

ORANGE CYMS breathed new life into their Group 10 premiership defence with a stunning 52-28 demolition of the previously unbeaten Lithgow Workies at Endeavour Oval yesterday.

Still smarting from last weekend’s drubbing at the hands of Mudgee in a replay of the 2010 grand final, CYMS ran in nine tries to blitz the competition leaders.

Kurt Beahan relished a move from the wing into the centres for CYMS, crossing for four tries in an outstanding display.

A loss would have all but put CYMS out of the running for the minor premiership.

But instead of falling six points behind Lithgow, CYMS, along with the Dragons, have now closed the gap to just two points heading into the back half of the season.

Beahan conceded last week’s 34-26 loss to the Dragons was the wake-up call CYMS needed.

“I think we’ve been too confident all year. I think winning the grand final we came out high at the start of the year. We just had to get back to the basics and we did that today against the top side in the comp,” he said.

“Lithgow are the side to beat and they fell short.

“Credit to us, we were the better side on the day.

“Every side wants that minor premiership. We spoke about it during the week ... you can’t come out slow in games like we have been.

“We wanted to score the first try and we got it today. It’s all about the crowd, we don’t like losing at home. We’re trying to get the crowds back in Orange and beating Lithgow, it’s all positive.

“(Scoring four tries) wasn’t bad. I’ve been a bit bored out on the wing, so I went to (captain-coach Mick Sullivan) throughout the week and just said, ‘give me an opportunity and I won’t fall short’. I was lucky enough today to come up with the four tries.”

Beahan’s move to the centres shifted Dom Maley to five-eighth in the place of the injured Sullivan.

And it paid dividends early when Maley set up Beahan twice in the opening 12 minutes with two great balls after splitting the Lithgow defence.

Workies prop Tohi Leha barged over in between Beahan’s tries to leave the score at 12-6.

A great kick-chase on the 15-minute mark forced Lithgow winger Reece Finlay into an error at the back, with his CYMS counterpart Matt Egan simply diving on the loose ball in goal for an 18-6 lead to the hosts.

CYMS gave away a host of penalties in an often fiery first half and Workies skipper Brendan Van Veen used the field position to his advantage after 24 minutes to cross untouched and cut the deficit to six at half-time.

Beahan bagged his third try straight after the break after Matt Rose was unable to clean up a Warick Colley grubber.

Workies were clearly rattled at being pushed for the first time this season as CYMS’ defence forced them into a glut of mistakes.

Their frustrations took their toll when star fullback Jono Van Veen was sin-binned in the 52nd minute for dissent.

While the visitors were down to 12, CYMS put the game out of reach when some quick hands from prop Ben McKenna sent workhorse back-rower Kyran Bubb over for the first of his two four-pointers.

At 30-12 the defence of both sides relaxed.

Workies ran in three more four-pointers to Daniel George, Brent Brogan and Matt Rose but never seriously threatened a comeback.

Beahan racked up his fourth and CYMS’ half-century with an intercept try right on full-time.

Maley produced his best game in CYMS colours since crossing codes from Orange City last year, drawing praise from Beahan.

“I spoke to Dom at training and asked him to put his hand up and play (number) six. He’s played five-eighth in the past and he was one of our best today,” Beahan said.

McKenna and Bubb were tireless in the pack for the green and golds, working hard to contain Workies props Leha and Chris Rhodes.

Lithgow closed ranks after the defeat, refusing to comment to the Central Western Daily about their first loss of the season .

❏ ORANGE CYMS 52 (Kurt Beahan 4, Kyran Bubb 2, Tim Bassmann, Terawhiti Cooper, Matt Egan tries; Warick Colley 8 goals) def LITHGOW WORKIES 28 (Tohi Leha, Brendan Van Veen, Daniel George, Brent Brogan, Matt Rose tries; Jono Van Veen 3, Sam Elrefaai goals).