HE’S been the defending premiers’ Mr Fix It throughout the opening three rounds of the 2014 Group 10 premiership, but ahead of Saturday’s game with Blayney, Orange CYMS utility Kyran Bubb is hoping he’s found a home in the back row.
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Bubb has shifted between the centres and backrow to begin 2014 and last weekend when halfback Warick Colley limped off injured, made an impromptu move into five-eighth to fill a play-making void for Mick Sullivan.
But with young gun Tom Stonestreet earning a promotion into the No.7 jersey ahead of today’s clash with the Bears at Wade Park, Bubb was hopeful of cementing a place in his preferred spot.
“I’ve just always played in the backrow growing up,” Bubb recalls.
“I just like getting involved and I enjoy defending in close.”
On paper, today’s game between CYMS and the Bears is a mis-match of epic proportions.
Since re-turning to Group 10 in 2013, Blayney is yet to win a game, while the green and golds won last year’s premiership and are unbeaten in 2014 thanks to wins over Orange Hawks and Lithgow Workies to begin the winter.
Along with the rest of the green and golds, Bubb was wary of today’s opponent in a clash that pits a number of former CYMS players, including new captain-coach Terawhiti Cooper, against their former club.
“I wouldn’t call it another derby. To me it’s just another game ... we just know everyone on the other side,” Bubb said.
“This is the game Blayney wants to win. They’ll be up for it. In the (Bathurst) Knockout Blayney looked really crisp. They came out strong against us. We just have to come out stronger.”
With Colley gone for a month with a calf injury, Sullivan was backing Stonestreet to get the job done.
“He’s done everything we’ve asked of him in the lower grades,” Sullivan said.
Saturday’s game begins at 2.45pm at Wade Park.
ORANGE CYMS: 1 Tim Bassmann, 2 Semisi Katoa, 3 Dan Stuart, 4 Luke Coleman, 5 Jarrod Robbins, 6 Ben McAlpine, 7 Tom Stonestreet, 8 Pat Galea, 9 Sam Hill, 10 Des Knight, 11 Kyran Bubb, 12 Riley Law, 13 Ben Gosper.