In Saturday’s Group 10 first division qualifying semi-final Orange CYMS player-coach Kyran Bubb is desperately hoping things play out a little differently to the last time his side faced Lithgow.
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Workies thumped CYMS that day, just three weeks ago, winning 30-6.
Bubb’s side will be up against it though, the green and golds will be short on troops after the game was switched with the elimination semi-final – a common move made to keep clubs’ various sides together.
“We would be stronger if the game was on Sunday, we’re missing a few but that is what it is,” Bubb said.
“We do only have a couple of guys running from the bench so we’ll just need a big effort from all the boys on the day.”
Still, Bubb – a multiple title winner in premier league – is still confident.
“We always are,” Bubb fired, adding there’d be no point playing if his side didn’t think it could win.
We do only have a couple of guys running from the bench so we’ll just need a big effort from all the boys on the day.
- CYMS player-coach Kyran Bubb
The green and golds have a right to be, they did beat Lithgow the first time the two sides met and there’s still plenty of experience in the line-up.
Fullback Zac Rue has played in plenty of big games while former Belrose Eagles captain-coach James Mortimer lines up at five-eighth.
Sam Hill, another one who’s won several top grade titles, will wear the No.9 jersey and lock Adam Stanford is a regular in CYMS’ premier league side too.
“Our strength is probably through our forwards, so we’ll look to roll through the middle and work from there,” Bubb said.
“I’d assume the Workies guys will have four guys fresh on their [premier league] bench, so that might take a bit out of their reserve grade side, it might mean they’re not as strong as the last time we played them.
“But either way, because we’ve only got a few reserves I’d say we’ll probably be best in the early stages of each half.
“So that’s when we really need to attack, hopefully we can get ourselves an early lead and hold on to it from there.”
The winner of Saturday’s final plays minor premiers Bathurst Panthers next week, while the loser faces the victor of Sunday’s elimination game.
Kick-off at Mudgee’s Glen Willow Sporting Complex is at 12.45pm.
- ORANGE CYMS: 1 Zac Rue, 2 Alex Fisher, 3 Jayden Fahey, 4 Andrew Hopkins, 5 Ryan Moore, 6 James Mortimer, 7 Will Petrie, 8 Dave Stelling, 9 Sam Hill, 24 Dan Tietzel, 21 Jay Mawhinney, 12 Jai Prevett, 13 Adam Stanford; Bench: 14 Tom Hill, 15 Kyran Bubb.