Western Rams against the might of the North Sydney Bears? You better believe it.
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There might be no Group 10 or Group 11 to play in 2020, but the region's best are set to take part in a competition unlike any other seen in the state this year.
The Rams will be joined by Group 11 powerhouse Dubbo CYMS in the 2020 Presidents Cup.
The cup features sides, from both the city and country, who remain keen to play despite their own competitions being cancelled for 2020.
CYMS and the Rams will be taking on the Bears and their fellow Sydney clubs the Wentworthville Magpies, Glebe Burwood Bears, the Hills Bulls, and also the Maitland Pickers.
"This might never happen again, this opportunity," CYMS president Mick Fraser said.
"It's just good for country rugby league. It's giving people some football and that's what it's all about."
The Fishies campaign is expected to start against the Bears on the weekend of July 18 before the unique experience of taking on the Western Rams in round two.
The Presidents Cup is a new concept and promises plenty of excitement with teams from across NSW signalling their interest and intention to be part of it.
- NSWRL's general manager of football Barrie-Jon Mather
Clubs will play each other once and have one bye before a four-week finals series with a gala grand final weekend on 26-27 September at a venue yet to be determined.
"The Presidents Cup is a new concept and promises plenty of excitement with teams from across NSW signalling their interest and intention to be part of it," NSWRL's general manager of football Barrie-Jon Mather said.
Playing city clubs is nothing new for this CYMS side, having taken part in the past three NSW Challenge Cups.
A knockout competition pitting premiers and the top sides from country and city against each other, the Challenge Cup was won by the Dubbo club in 2018.
The Fishies beat the Guildford Owls that day in one of the club's finest moments but the city outfit got its revenge in the following year's decider.
CYMS was part of the Challenge Cup again this year but was knocked out in the second round by the Wyong Roos in early March.
The outfit for the Presidents Cup could well be bolstered by some new faces eager to be part of the tournament though.
"We've got a core group of players and we're hoping to bring in a couple people around them just to strengthen the team," Fraser said.
"That's what really got it over the line I think you'll find, giving these players from the bush the opportunity to play against some different competition."
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Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
