A STUNNING two-try performance from dynamic Orange CYMS fullback Dan Stuart has lifted the defending Group 10 premiers to a 36-16 victory over an injury riddled Oberon.
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Played at a sun-drenched Wade Park on Sunday, Stuart scored two tries and laid on the green and golds’ first for Tim Bassmann as the hosts snapped an early match slumber to score 30 unanswered points after trailing the Tigers 10-0 midway through the first half.
Now feeling at home in the custodian’s role at CYMS, Stuart said his form and that of his new club is set to soar over the coming weeks.
“I’m getting back there. I pulled my hammy a couple of times and it was giving me a bit of trouble but I’m finding my feet now and hopefully I can just get better and better each game and come good at the right time of year,” Stuart said.
“That’s our second win in a row after a couple of losses, it’s good to play well and get the win.
“It’s definitely important, we need to get a roll-on coming into the semis.”
The 20-point victory now moves CYMS into third on this year’s ladder, with Cowra’s 34-16 loss to St Pat’s sliding the Magpies down to fourth on differential.
Stuart said continuity and momentum will ensure the green and golds challenge come the business end of the season.
“We were a bit scrappy today and we have been a little bit this season, but I think if we keep the same team on the paddock and get a bit of cohesion then I think we’ll come good at the right time of the year,” he added.
Early on, however, CYMS looked anything but a side that boasted title-winning aspirations.
Slow and disjointed for the opening half hour, the hosts were made to pay when Reece Finlay scored the game’s opening four pointer and substitute winger Joel Christie-Johnson bolted 75 metres to score the Oberon’s second try.
Steve Lane was successful with his first conversion attempt, gifting the Tigers a surprise 10-0 lead.
And it should have been more.
After 31 minutes Oberon were pressing CYMS’ line and, on the last tackle, Lane punted a clever cross-field kick for three-quarter Riccie Arriola, but the big centre fumbled re-gathering the ball over the line to miss a shot at extending the Tigers’ lead.
It proved a huge turning point in the contest.
"It’s good to play well and get the win. It’s definitely important, we need to get a roll-on coming into the semis”
With the very next set, CYMS powered up field and a deft short ball from Stuart to a flying Tim Bassmann got the hosts on the board.
Zac Bohan then charged over to score CYMS’ second and in the space of five minutes the green and golds turned a possible 16-point deficit into a 12-10 advantage.
They never really looked back either.
Second half tries to cult-hero Zac Rue, Sam Hill and a brace to Stuart guided CYMS to a strong victory, the club’s second in a row.
A late try to impressive Oberon halfback Blake Fitzpatrick was indicative of his side’s never-say-die attitude, and given the injuries engulfing the club at the moment, Tigers coach Scott Traynor left Wade Park a relatively happy man on Sunday.
“That’s the one thing I love about this club, they just don’t give up,” Traynor said, forced to use 35 players so far this premier league season.
Against CYMS, Oberon were without 11 premier league regulars.
“We’ll keep digging in and having a go. We had a few injuries, I had to reshuffle pretty much the entire side,” Traynor continued.
“But I thought we went really well. Just fitness, we only had one fresh (reserve) on the bench. Take nothing away from CYMS though, they’re a quality side.
“When they get a lot of possession they put a lot of points on you.”
ORANGE CYMS 36 (Dan Stuart 2, Zac Bohan, Zac Rue, Sam Hill, Tim Bassmann tries; Ben McAlpine 6 goals) def OBERON TIGERS 16 (Reece Finlay, Joel Christie-Johnson, Blake Fitzpatrick tries; Steve Lane 2 goals)