WITH their Group 10 premier league season on the line against Bathurst St Pat’s on Sunday, Orange CYMS captain-coach Mick Sullivan’s message to his players is simple - just win.
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CYMS travel to Bathurst on Sunday to take on the competition leaders at the Bathurst Sportsground desperate for a victory, despite their fate being somewhat in cross-town rivals Orange Hawks’ hands.
CYMS sit fifth, just two points in front of Bathurst Panthers, with a slightly better points difference.
Hawks tackle Panthers on Saturday at Wade Park, and if the latter scores an upset victory CYMS must beat St Pat’s or risk missing the finals altogether.
A Hawks victory would secure CYMS fifth place regardless of Sunday’s result.
“It would be great if Hawks help us out by winning [today],” Sullivan said.
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“But Panthers are a big, mobile side and they’re on a roll. I wouldn’t be surprised if they knock Hawks off.
“In that regard we’re not worrying about that result, we’re going to Bathurst to win regardless.”
Sullivan said his side had reason to be confident after upsetting early season front runners Mudgee last week.
“It’s no secret the Dragons had a few guys missing, but St Pat’s only just beat the same Mudgee side,” Sullivan said.
“We’ve got a lot of big-game players in our side who know how to get the job done, and I’m confident we will.
“We just need to make sure we improve on the little things we’ve been doing wrong, turning over cheap ball in particular.
“Pat’s are a good attacking side, and they will make us pay if we give them cheap ball. If we can hold onto it and get ourselves 50-50 [possession], that will go a long way to winning us the game.
“We know what we have to do, our semi-finals started last week against Mudgee. We didn’t earn the right at a second chance so we need to win every week, full stop.
“If we can sneak into the five this competition is as much ours to lose as any other team.”
CYMS have retired their premier league and first division No.8 jerseys as a tribute to injured prop Kiel Vardanega, and Des Knight will wear No.15 as a result.
Kick-off at Bathurst Sportsground is scheduled for 2.30pm.
ORANGE CYMS: 1 Dan Stuart, 2 Jarrod Robbins, 3 Tim Bassmann, 4 Matt Penny, 5 Ryan Griffin, 6 Ben McAlpine, 7 Mick Sullivan, 15 Des Knight, 9 Sam Hill, 10 Zac Bohan, 11 Adam Gibson, 12 Riley Law, 13 Ben Gosper; Bench: 14 Brent Colley, 16 Ryan Prevett.
