FIRED UP: Expect CYMS to come out firing in 2013 after suffering a heavy Group 10 grand final defeat against Lithgow last Sunday. Photo: JUDE KEOGH
THE dust has barely settled on Lithgow’s first Group 10 premier league triumph in seven years but already Orange CYMS, the side on the end of Workies’ 40-14 mauling, are planning on redemption in 2013.
Looking like he’d gone the distance with Iron Mike, CYMS player-coach Mick Sullivan cut a forlorn figure after the 26-point decider loss - the first time the club hasn’t tasted success on grand final day in Sullivan’s three year tenure at the club.
It was as physical a contest seen in Group 10 in 2012.
But not all was lost.
Looking at Sullivan’s eye - the one not closed over sporting an odd shade of black - the fire to come back bigger and better burned brightly.
“We come back and try and win it next year,” the former NRL rake fired.
“You don’t stop. I would have liked to have won today but it didn’t happen so we go back and freshen up and come again next year.”
And plans for next year are already in place.
Premiership winning back rower Kyran Bubb looks set to return to his junior club after a year in the Newcastle competition, while CYMS are also chasing reigning Group Nine Player of the Year Ben McAlpine, another CYMS junior.
Both will potentially add a wealth of big game experience to the club.
The loss last Sunday to Lithgow hurt.
You only had to look at CYMS’ players after the clash to realise that.
But the defeat looks set to be a blip on the radar as the club looks to extend the success already enjoyed over last three years, one of the richest periods in the club’s proud history.
Three grand final appearances, two premierships, one minor premiership and CYMS players, Sullivan in 2010 and Tim Bassmann in 2012, have taken out two of the last three Group 10 Player of the Year gongs.
“You can’t complain about that really,” Bassmann said.
“We’re a bit heart-broken not to do three in a row but I dare say we’ll get the chance to do it all again with the group of players at the club we have.”
Bassmann added the existing group of players could be joined by several returning stars, not just McAlpine and Bubb.
“You’ll see the same side next year... maybe with a few extra players,” he smiled.