“IT’S disgraceful ... [Workies] lack of a lot of class, integrity and backbone doing this”.

Orange CYMS life member Matt King and premier league captain-coach Mick Sullivan pulled no punches in the wake of Lithgow Workies forfeiting the two clubs’ Group 10 premier league grand final rematch on Sunday, with King labelling the move “a cop-out” after they claimed a spate of injuries forced their hand.

“It’s so frustrating, I’m just shocked. We all are,” a disbelieving King said.

“Lithgow is a great town and Workies are a good club, they’ve been one of the most successful clubs in Country Rugby League history, they’re a proud town and club and they’ve produced some incredible players like Barry Rushworth, Kip Maranda and Mitch Luka. 

“But this, it’s a cop-out. I think those older guys, the legends of their club would be appalled.

“You can’t just give up and say ‘oh, we’re not playing this week’. (It seems like) they think they can do what they want.

“It’s not good enough, and it all starts at the top. I think it’s just time they had a clean-out.”

“It’s  a pretty pathetic effort on Lithgow’s part, really,” Sullivan said.

“Having no first division side was a big sign of weakness anyway.

“I’m the same as Kingy, you just don’t forfeit games.

“They have under-18s there, use them. I’m sure there’d be three or four under-18 players who are willing to step up.

“It’s disappointing, it’s not a good look for the Lithgow guys at all.”

King and Sullivan, vehemently, condemned the decision, arguing player struggles are not a new issue for any bush footy side.

King used CYMS’ miserly seasons between 2004 and 2007 as examples - where they won a combined 13 games.

“[CYMS] went through a stage when I first arrived where we didn’t beat either Bathurst side, Mudgee or Lithgow for years. We barely won a game for three years,” he fired.

“We didn’t have a (premier league) team in 2004 but through 2005, 2006 and 2007 we didn’t win much. 

“But we showed up and played, every week. We never even thought about forfeiting.

“If it ever got bad enough at CYMS I’d play on the wing and I’m old and fat.”

“This isn’t me speaking from an Orange CYMS position or with green and gold glasses on, I’m speaking from a rugby league stand-point.

“The guys at Country Rugby League need to stop having their free lunches and actually do something, take a look at where rugby league in the country is at the moment.

“At least, I think, in (NRL chief executive officer Todd Greenberg) we might have someone who actually understands what Country Rugby League is to the sport.”

The clash was scheduled for Sunday at Wade Park. The under-18 and league tag fixtures will also be abandoned.

"We'd still be willing to play the game though, so hopefully Lithgow have a look at this and how bad it looks on their behalf and figure out a way to get a side together," Sullivan said.

"We'll put one together on Saturday night if we have to."

CYMS had a round two bye after dropping their first game of the season in Oberon. 

Sunday’s clash would have been their second game this winter.