WHILE it is Orange CYMS’ final chance to tune-up and fix the minute problems they have leading into the 2016 Group 10 premier league finals, there’s something else driving Mick Sullivan’s troops in Sunday’s match-up with Bathurst St Pat’s.
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The Saints are the only side CYMS haven’t beaten this year.
One of only two teams to beat the minor premiership-winning green and golds this season – the other was Oberon in round one – St Pat’s accounted for CYMS 16-10 in a sloppy round nine fixture at Wade Park.
“We would like to get that one back, we’d prefer not to go into the semi-finals having been beaten by the same team twice,” Sullivan said.
“We haven’t been beaten in this second round of games either so a win I think would be pretty important for us momentum wise having the week off in (next weekend’s) first round of finals.
“In saying that St Pat’s completely outplayed us in that first round game, I know it was only 16-10 but they really should’ve won by more we just sort of hung around and it was wet too.
“So making up for that performance and our first half last week, our first half against Blayney last week was probably on par with that St Pat’s performance in terms of poorness, is a pretty big focus for us too.”
CYMS will be without Brock McGarity and Mitch Davis in Sunday’s fixture, both have hamstring twinges.
“We’ve already got the minor premiership and a week off though so it’s an easy decision to be able to tell them to just rest up,” Sullivan said.
“Cam Jones comes into the starting side for Mitch and Rabs (Ryan) Griffin will stay in the centres in Brock’s place. Cam will always do the job and Rabs did a great job out there last weekend against Blayney.”
CYMS’ captain-coach said he’s expecting the typically physical, grinding performance St Pat’s have become known for.
“That’s what they do, they get in that grind and stay there,” the former NRL star said.
“They’ve got a big, strong pack and some classy outside backs, it’ll be a good test for us coming off the win against Blayney last weekend.
“In fact it’ll be a really good test for us in general with the finals just around the corner.”
Outside momentum and bragging rights there’s little on the line for St Pat’s, who will play cross-city rivals Bathurst Panthers in next weekend’s qualifying final win, loss or draw.
Oberon has the bye and will finish fourth, while the Mudgee Dragons can’t drop out of fifth.
St Pat’s host CYMS at Bathurst’s Carrington Park from 2.15pm.
ORANGE CYMS: 1 Ben McAlpine, 2 Semisi Katoa, 3 Jerome Harrison, 4 Ryan Griffin, 5 Todd Murphy, 6 Dom Maley, 7 Mick Sullivan, 8 Cam Jones, 9 James Wynne, 10 Simon Osborne, 11 Larsen Marabe, 12 Brenden Cousins, 13 Tim Mortimer; Bench; 14 Kyran Bubb, 15 Sam Hill