RUGBY LEAGUE
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St Pat's go jumping from one Orange team to another as they travel to Wade Park today for their final round Group 10 premier match against minor premiers CYMS.
After an unconvincing win over the Hawks last week, Pat’s get a chance to really test themselves before the finals, playing a side that’s dropped just two matches all season.
One of them arrived last week courtesy of the Mudgee Dragons and it has given Pat’s all the more reason to feel they can go into finals football with a seven game winning streak.
In fact you have to go back to the last Pat’s-CYMS meeting to find the last time the Bathurst side tasted defeat.
It’s been a back half of a season to remember for Pat’s coach Kurt Hancock, but the job is far from done.
“Our second half has turned our season around and it started against CYMS. After that we showed what we could achieve when we play well, plus we also got a lot of players back after that game,” he said.
“We’ve been playing to our individual strengths in our team. The other structures we’d put in place was focused around last year’s players. It took a while to adjust and figure out everyone’s strengths.
“It’s now a bit more free flowing than it used to be, which can be a bit of a doubled-edged sword, but on our day we’re one of the best defensive teams in the comp. When the passes don’t stick we’ve been able to dig deep in defence.”
With both guaranteed to be seeing finals action, a good run through for Pat’s could see them meet the Orange side again, which makes it a chance to size each other up.
CYMS, however, may only need as little as one win to make the grand final, while Pat’s are guaranteed to need three.
Hancock looks forward to the atmosphere at Wade Park which he said could rival that of a finals game.
“We’re going over there with a carefree attitude. It’s going to be a big day for CYMS with the old boys playing and they’re expecting a big crowd. This is the first sort of finals atmosphere we’re going to get this year and it will be a great thing for our younger guys to experience,” he said.
“They’ve been the best team in the competition all year so we’ll give them that respect, but by the same token we’re going over there to prove a point.”
There’s also fourth spot on the ladder still up for grabs. Pat’s will be able to claim that position should they get the better of CYMS and the Lithgow Workies get the better of the Blayney Bears.
Kick off is at 2.30pm.
ST PAT’S: 1 Nathan Lawrence, 2 Adam Morton, 3 Curtis Boardman, 4 Matt Tilley, 5 Tim Collins, 6 Garry Reilly, 7 Joey Coughlan, 8 Travis Wininara, 9 Benjamin John (c), 10 Chris De Young, 11 Brady Cheshire, 12 Corey Averio, 13 Joe Batchelor, 14 Hudson White, 15 Mick Armstrong, 16 Nick Millar, 17 Jack Mackey