IN a frightening prospect for Orange CYMS’ Group 10 premier league opponents, only one word can describe the green and golds’ start to 2014 - ordinary.
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A team with infinite potential, the 2013 premiers have been far from their best in the opening eight rounds of the season.
The green and golds’ best performance came in round one, in a 42-24 win over Hawks, mainly due to former NRL star Matt King’s dominance.
Otherwise, CYMS have produced snippets of football reminiscent of their premiership 2010, 2011 and 2013 form but for the most part, have looked a team struggling to gel.
And yet, they keep winning.
CYMS sit third after eight rounds with five wins from seven starts.
But with two losses on the trot, they need to snap an uncharacteristic losing streak sooner rather than later.
So, the prudent question is - if a less than impressive CYMS side can start the season so well, what will a full-strength, consistent CYMS be capable of?
ATTACK: A
DESPITE looking disjointed a lot of the time, CYMS have had no trouble scoring points in 2014.
Even with a distinct lack of structure, and sometimes questionable attacking options, CYMS are the second best attacking team in the competition having scored 228 points - just eight behind Mudgee.
The 2013 premiers have piled on some huge totals so far this season, scoring over 30 points in five separate games and over 50 twice.
With a full contingent, and some fluency with ball in hand CYMS could produce cricket scores in the back end of the season.
DEFENCE: B-
HERE lies CYMS’ potential problem.
Despite sitting comfortably in second place, CYMS are leaking an alarming amount of points for a top three team.
Captain-coach Mick Sullivan has highlighted his team’s uncharacteristic defensive deficiencies several times in post match wrap ups, and with good reason.
CYMS are the fourth best defensive side in the competition, having conceded 173 points overall - 70 more than first placed Mudgee, and 51 more than second placed Bathurst St Pat’s.
They have conceded more than 20 points on five separate occasions, and will need to lock down teams defensively heading into the back end of the year.
STAR PERFORMER: Dan Stuart
WHEN on the field, Stuart has added a fluency and unpredictability to CYMS, in both attack and defence.
After the departure of premiership winners Dom Maley and Ali Beale, Stuart’s signing has given CYMS a much needed spark out wide in 2014.
Possessing blinding speed and a left foot step worthy of comparison to Brad Fittler, Stuart eats metres down CYMS’ right side attack, highlighted by a three-try performance against Oberon.
OVERALL: B+