REVENGE: Orange CYMS first division captain-coach Brad Prevett is looking forward to tomorrow's clash with Bathurst Panthers. Photo: JUDE KEOGH 0911res14
THE art of mixing brawn with creative flair is a balancing act Orange CYMS’ first division captain-coach Brad Prevett admits is the key to his side atoning its 26-18 grand final defeat last winter.
The green and golds lower grade unit have been sensational over the back end of the Group 10 season, dropping just one of its last nine games, a ride in form strong enough to find the club one win away from consecutive decider berths.
It’s a run based on a solid pack of big men paving the way for a small collection of electric backline players.
It’s the art CYMS are close to mastering.
Prevett said he side has found the right balance to go all the way.
The fact they get the chance for revenge against a Bathurst Panthers side that defeated them by eight points in last year’s decider at Endeavour Oval is a bonus.
“Definitely. I know I am keen to get one back on them after the disappointment of last year. A lot of the boys are pretty pumped,” Prevett said in the lead up to tomorrow’s preliminary final between CYMS and Panthers at Wade Park.
“We’ve got some pretty good forwards with some big boys on the bench, but it’s about getting the balance in the team right.
“We’ve got some good defenders there like Adam Gibson, Matt Penny and myself in the middle then guys like Des (Knight), Bryce Jones and big Dan (Teitzel) on the bench. It gives guys like Claude (Gordon) and Blake Baxter plenty of room.”
CYMS made it through to tomorrow’s game after defeating a tough Oberon side in convincing fashion 28-16.
Prevett said his side’s strong start set up the win.
He was looking for a similar effort tomorrow.
“We’re improving on our starts, which is good to see,” he said.
“We let Oberon back in to it late in the first half last week but we came out strong in the second half to run away with the game.”
The Group 10 first division preliminary final is scheduled to begin at 12.30pm tomorrow.
ORANGE CYMS: 1 Wayne Collett, 2 Tim Smith, 3 Joel Rolton, 4 Josh Annis-Brown, 5 Craig Piper, 6 Claude Gordon, 7 Blake Baxter, 8 Bryce Jones, 9 Brad Prevett, 10 Des Knight, 11 Nick Law, 12 Adam Gibson, 13 Matt Penny; Bench: 14 Nathan Warner, 15 Josh Goodlock , 16 Anton Logan, 17 Dan Teitzel, 18 Bevan Parker, 19 Jed Beasley.
