Not because of the forecast snow or predicted sub-zero temperatures set to great the two blues at Wade Park on Sunday, but because their round 11 clash is, or was supposed to be against the Mudgee Dragons. 

Orange City Council closed all of its grounds on Friday afternoon, deeming the state of Wade Park unfit for play, but Gangaram was confident should his side have been able to take the field it would have been able to push the Dragons on home soil.

He’s identifying the Mudgee club’s weakness as its inability to perform on the road.

“I really think we could have tested them,” Gangaram said, the corresponding fixture in Mudgee resulting in a 60-14 Dragons win at Glen Willow.

They’ve lost games at Oberon and at Bathurst’s Carrington Park and Sportsground precincts so far this year.

“They don’t travel too well and I thought this was a good time for us to get them.”

Orange City Council has closed all city-owned fields after record rain fall in June was followed on Friday by snow.

The subsequent postponement of the Hawks-Dragons clash will mean the two blues now have a two-week break before their round 13 clash against Blayney at King George Oval on July 10.

Hawks have a bye in round 12.

Gangaram said the break will do his side the world of good, with illness and injury likely to prevent a number of Hawks stars from taking the field this weekend.

When they’re all back, though, the two blues mentor was expecting big things.

“We trained really well, twice this week,” he said.

“We’d looked good in the wet and I think the young guys have been able to have a few light-bulb moments over the course of the last couple of weeks.

“They’re getting things now they haven’t in previous weeks, and it’s beginning to show.

“Particularly our young halves (Brodie Christopherson, Jake Blimka, Kyle Robbins), just playing more direct. When you play straighter and the defence plants its feet, it’s then easier for our backs to get around sides.”

He added the key to achieving more than one win this season was remaining positive.

“It’s important we stay enthused and keep our heads up for the rest of the season. A few things go our way and it'll be a different story,” Gangaram predicted.

Defending Group 10 premiers Orange CYMS enjoy a round 11 bye before hosting Lithgow.