RUGBY LEAGUE
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
ORANGE CYMS are the 2015 Group 10 minor premiers after Oberon forfeited its round 13, snowed-out fixture with the green and golds.
Settled midweek, the gift two points shoots Mick Sullivan’s men three wins clear on top of the competition ladder heading into today’s blockbuster at Glen Willow with fellow finals heavyweights Mudgee, who were also the beneficiaries of an extra two points after Panthers forfeited their snowed-out game with the Dragons.
Despite wrapping up the season’s first piece of silverware two weeks out from the finals, Sullivan says there will be no hint of complacency from the 2013 champs ahead of today’s clash with Mudgee then a pre-finals showdown with defending premiers St Pat’s at Wade Park.
“We’ll be throwing everything we’ve got at the next two weeks,” Sullivan said.
“It’s not ideal [having the first week of the semi-finals off], but we’ll be trying to build some momentum over the next couple of weeks.
“Pat’s are going really well and it’s rare we see this sort of form from a team outside of the top five this time of year.
“And Mudgee’s going to be tough. If things go their way they could finish second.
“We’re expecting a big couple of weeks.”
VIDEO: Nick McGrath and Matt Findlay preview this weekend's games:
In a dour encounter, Orange CYMS won 16-14 when the Dragons travelled to Wade Park two months ago.
That Mudgee team, however, and the one CYMS will face today are two completely different beasts.
The biggest point of intrigue? Jack Afamasaga.
“I’m not sure if Jack will play,” Sullivan said, his coaching counterpart nursing leg injuries for almost all of 2015 and playing just three minutes against Hawks two weeks ago.
“I expect him to, but I’m not sure. With the bye next week he may rest up, but I imagine he’ll be pretty keen to get some minutes in his legs.
“For us, injury wise, we’re looking good, touch wood.”
Today’s clash at Glen Willow kicks off at 4.15pm.
ORANGE CYMS: 1 Tim Bassmann, 2 Semisi Katoa, 3 Robbie Mortimer, 4 Ben McAlpine, 5 Wayne Collett, 6 Matt Rose, 7 Mick Sullivan, 8 Cam Jones, 9 Sam Hill, 10 Simon Osborne, 11 Riley Law, 12 Kyran Bubb, 13 Tim Mortimer; 14 Logan Pocklington, 15 Trent Rose, 16 Scott Sullivan.