“BEWARE the wounded.”

Orange CYMS player-coach Mick Sullivan is steeling his ladder-leading green and gold outfit for a mid-season assault from defending Group 10 premiers St Pat’s at the Bathurst Sportsground tomorrow.

Since winning the 2014 premiership over Cowra last September, St Pat’s have battled as both injury and a throng of player transfers put a massive dent in the continuity of Kurt Hancock’s outfit, one now perched precariously on the edge of the top five as Orange Hawks and Bathurst Panthers lead the chase.

But Sullivan is cautious of what’s in store tomorrow.

“We didn’t go to Lithgow (last Friday night) and get the points down there to then let them slip against St Pat’s,” he said.

“We’re very wary. Pat’s will be wanting to stay in touch with the five and we want to turn in first place. It’s an important game for both sides.”

Sullivan admits he hoped, but wasn’t sure, CYMS were capable of being undefeated after eight rounds of the regular season.

He’s now banking on a hugely favourable draw over the backend of the season - CYMS enjoy six home games in the second round and after tomorrow’s trip to Bathurst won’t play outside of Wade Park again until Mudgee on August 9 - the green and golds can mount an unparalleled case for the minor premiership.

“I don’t think we’ve come together just yet either,” Sullivan said, a massive warning to the rest of the competition.

“Defensively we’re there, and that’s what good sides are about, but attack-wise hopefully we can work on a few more things and really start to gel towards the backend of the year and put some points on.”

Sullivan praised the work of a “rejuvenated” Ben McAlpine, now the team’s skipper, as well as Simon Osborne, Mortimers Robbie and Tim and the Rose boys Trent and Matt, the former a chance of missing tomorrow’s game with a groin complaint.

After a head knock against Lithgow last week, Kyran Bubb was also in doubt for the St Pat’s clash.

Tomorrow’s game kicks off at 1.45pm.

ORANGE CYMS: 1 Tim Bassmann, 2 Robbie Mortimer, 3 Jerome Harrison, 4 Ben McAlpine, 5 Semisi Katoa, 6 Matt Rose, 7 Mick Sullivan, 8 Cam Jones, 9 Sam Hill, 10 Logan Pocklington, 11 Simon Osborne, 12 Riley Law, 13 Tim Mortimer; 14 Scott Sullivan.