It can cruel a side or, alternatively, lift it to some pretty lofty heights.

So, for Orange CYMS, after last year’s West Wyalong Knockout ended in particularly unlucky circumstances, captain-coach Mick Sullivan had a pretty simple solution to ensure the green and golds make their own luck in 2017.

“Score first,” he laughed.

In the opening round of last year’s rich pre-season knockout, CYMS were bundled out of the competition thanks to Group Nine powerhouse Albury –  a club that later went on to make the final.

With the score locked at 0-all, CYMS went on the attack and a three-on-one overlap in favour of the Group 10 giants looked certain to produce the all important first try.

Instead, Albury’s then skipper Ben Jeffrey plucked an intercept and raced 70 metres to score. The end result was 10-all, but that first try ensured the Thunder progressed on to the Saturday games.

“It could have been very different, but that’s the nature of this sort of tournament,” Sullivan said.

“There’s going to be breaks made, we just have to ensure when we make ours we convert them into points.

“Good sides don’t concede back-to-back tries so if we can get ahead then, in the format, we’re a good chance of winning these shorter games.”

CYMS have named a number of new and returning faces for the first up clash with Temora, kicking off at 10.20pm Friday night.

Premiership-winning outside back Kurt Beahan has been named to make his return to the green and gold on the wing, while former Blayney pivot Luke Petrie will partner Sullivan in the halves.

Ethan Kennedy will line-up on the other wing, while kiwi man mountain Chris Bamford will debut for the club.

“I haven’t seen a lot of Chris play. The only time I have has been at this tournament, but he’s looked really good at training,” Sullivan said.

“I think our pack is a real strength of ours this year.

“In the past we’ve probably gone over with some in experience in the forwards, but I think it’s a big, strong pack and this sort of game will suit guys like Bam.

“And off the back of that you’d expect Rabs (hooker Ryan Griffin) to be pretty effective around the ruck.

“Confidence is important, so I’d like to get through Friday and head into Saturday’s games after a good performance.”

The 2017 knockout is worth a massive $15,000 in total.

Forbes kick-off Western’s representation at the tournament, taking on Group Nine premiers Southcity Bulls at 7.40pm, while Bathurst Panthers take on Albury at 11pm.

Group 10 referee Billy Greatbatch will officiate the 9.40pm clash between Wagga Kangaroos and the Woden Valley Rams.

ORANGE CYMS: 1 Ben McAlpine, 2 Kurt Beahan, 3 Jerome Harrison, 4 Brock McGarity, 5 Ethan Kennedy, 6 Luke Petrie, 7 Mick Sullivan, 8 Chris Bamford, 9 Ryan Griffin, 10 Cam Jones, 11 Mitch Davis, 12 Brendon Cousins, 13 Adam Stanford.

TEMORA: Jordyn Ballard, Grant Boyd (cc), Jack Goode, Matt Hughes, Grant Hughes, Grant Kitchingman, Gavin Kite, Todd Lynch, Chris Maher, Nathan McGowan, Aka Matopo, Jake Mines, , Atalea Nefetalai, Hayden Philp, Kris Rands, Braden Taylor, Palu Tonga.

DRAW:

7pm: TLU Sharks v Wagga Brothers

7.40pm: Forbes Magpies v Southcity Bulls

8.20pm: Leeton Greens v Gundagai Tigers

9pm: West Wyalong Mallee Men v Young Cherrypickers

9.40pm: Wagga Kangaroos v Woden Valley Rams

10.20pm: Orange Cyms v Temora Dragons

11pm: Bathurst Panthers v Albury Thunder

Bye: Yenda Blueheelers