ORANGE CYMS welcome back star centre Dan Stuart for Sunday’s Group 10 premier league local derby against Orange Hawks.
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After spending several weeks on the sideline Stuart returns to the green and golds’ line-up, and his timing couldn’t be better.
CYMS head into Sunday’s clash, at Wade Park, on the back of three consecutive losses - to Cowra, Mudgee and Bathurst St Pat’s - and captain-coach Mick Sullivan said Stuart could be his team’s X-factor.
“Having Dan back is great, it’s just about keeping him on the paddock now,” Sullivan said.
“He’s a quality player and can produce plenty from nothing. Benny Gosper is also better for his run last week, and will make a difference.”
CYMS are as close to full strength as they have been all season, and Sullivan said his side was as confident as ever despite its past three results.
“We should be a bit sharper [tomorrow],” he said.
“We weren’t far off against Pat’s who are a quality side. Mudgee were too good for us up there, but now we’re starting to get some quality players back on the field. With a bit of time together we can get some cohesion and that will start this weekend.”
The 2013 premiers face a confident Hawks unit that has won its last three games, buoyed by the return of former French international prop Arty Shead.
“Hawks are playing well and we’ve faltered a bit recently,” Sullivan said.
“It’s all set up really, they’re right there with us if we drop this one. They’re a dangerous side.
“They play off second phase and their quality back line works well off their forwards’ go-forward. We never take them lightly, and it’s never hard to get up for a derby.”
Kick-off is scheduled for 2pm.
ORANGE CYMS: 1 Tim Bassmann, 2 Jarrod Robbins, 3 Kyran Bubb, 4 Dan Stuart, 5 Semesi Katoa, 6 Ben McAlpine, 7 Mick Sullivan (c), 8 Zac Bohan, 9 Sam Hill, 10 Brent Colley, 11 Riley Law, 12 Pat Galea, 13 Ben Gosper. Bench: 14 Luke Morris, 15 Cam Jones.
