RUGBY LEAGUE
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ORANGE CYMS skipper Ben McAlpine is confident the green and golds have the side to at least make this year’s Group 10 grand final.
The runaway minor premiership favourites with just four weeks remaining in the regular season, CYMS travel to King George Oval tomorrow to tackle fellow finals contenders Blayney, albeit with the hosting Bears battling both suspension and injury heading into the round 15 clash.
CYMS, though, aren’t facing any such hurdles.
Nigh on full strength - only demolition centre Jerome Harrison is out - the green and golds will look to take full advantage of the unexpected mismatch and entrench themselves at the top of the competition’s ladder.
And, if that wasn’t enough, McAlpine had this for the rest of Group 10.
“I don’t think we’ve played our best footy yet,” the first-year captain said.
“We’re getting there, and a few hard weeks at training should have us where we need to be for the finals.
“We’re pretty close to full strength (for the Blayney game) and from what I’ve heard they’re missing a few guys, so I’d like to think we’ll start putting things together now.”
CYMS hit their first snag of 2015 back in round 12.
Coming off a bye round, Mick Sullivan’s men suffered a shock 22-12 loss to Lithgow at Wade Park.
It was their first loss of the season, and if last week’s comeback 36-10 thrashing of Panthers is any indication, CYMS are banking on it being their last.
And if one man fires, it may just be that.
In 10 games through 2015, electric fullback Tim Bassmann is yet to score a try this season - it’s a trend leading some to call for a revoking of the try-scoring machine mantle he’s held for years.
“A few of the boys are pretty happy to see him with none,” McAlpine laughed.
“I’m sure it’s not too far away though. Tim’s a quality player he just hasn’t had a lot of luck yet. It’ll come.”
CYMS battle Blayney at 2pm tomorrow.
ORANGE CYMS: 1 Tim Bassmann, 2 Semis Katoa, 3 Robbie Mortimer, 4 Ben McAlpine, 5 Wayne Collett, 6 Matt Rose, 7 Michael Sullivan, 8 Cameron Jones, 9 Sam Hill, 10 Simon Osborne, 11 Riley Law, 12 Kyran Bubb, 13 Tim Mortimer; 14 Scott Sullivan, 15 Trent Rose, 16 Logan Pocklington.