ORANGE CYMS secretary Mandy Moore said there is every chance we could see a blockbuster local derby final in this weekend’s CYMS Under 18 Carnival at Norton Park.
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Orange Hawks are the defending champions, and Moore said the two blues will boast a gangbusters side again in 2015, while CYMS are also expected to be one of the strongest teams at the knockout competition.
“Hawks will be strong again, that’s a certainty,” Moore said.
“But our guys are shaping up pretty well, they’re coming off a good win against (Bathurst) St Pat’s in a trial, and a lot of our under 16 side from last year have come up, and they are seriously good players.
“We’ve got a lot of big boys, and mobile players, with plenty of go forward. I’d say us and Hawks are definitely sides to watch.”
Eight of the nine Group 10 premier league teams will compete, with Lithgow Workies reportedly unable to drum up enough numbers to field a side.
“Lithgow couldn’t get the numbers together, so they won’t be coming,” Moore said.
“Mudgee said they are struggling a bit, but will be here and will probably do okay. Blayney, Oberon and Panthers are a bit of unknowns, and St Pat’s and Cowra will be quite good too I’d say.
“I think it will be a good day of footy.”
In previous years, the CYMS 18s knockout has been used as an extra selection tool to pick the Group 10 under 18s team and while Moore couldn’t be certain, she said she expects 2015 to be no different.
“They haven’t really communicated too much, but they had a squad training recently so I can’t imagine why selectors wouldn’t have a look,” Moore said.
“It will give them a look at any new players, how people have developed, who got big, who got strong, who got slow and all that sort of thing.”
The knockout kicks off at 10.30am at Norton Park on Saturday, with the final scheduled for 2.20pm. CYMS clash with Blayney first up, while Hawks take on St Pat’s.
