DUBBO CYMS coach Tim Ryan admits there is still plenty of improvement in his side despite seeing the Fishies hold on for a 22-16 win over an impressive Westside Rabbitohs side at Caltex Park yesterday.
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The Rabbitohs matched last season's minor premiers for long periods but a 90-metre runaway try to Daryl Cubby sealed CYMS' first win of the season.
"They (Westside) showed up to play which was good to see and it was a nice, tight game so we were very lucky to get away with it," Ryan said after the match.
"It was a good game and it's only early the season and we've got a lot to work on so that's a good thing."
The first ten minutes set the tone for the entire match with defence dominating and plenty of push and shove between the two sides.
The deadlock was broken after 13 minutes and it was a surprise to see Westside cross with winger Dylan Fuller scoring in the corner.
Kurt Fuller missed the conversion and it wasn't long before CYMS worked their way into the match and were rewarded when youngster Ben Marlin broke through and found hooker Alex Bonham.
With scores locked at 4-all the match reverted back to an arm wrestle and it looked to be level at break before CYMS five-eighth Matt Naden danced through the defence and scored under the posts.
Colby Pellow's conversion made it 10-6 at half-time but the Rabbitohs were fired up on their return to the field and EJ Fernando produced a bit of magic when he leapt above Kieran Shipp from a Steve Riley bomb and planted the ball down.
At 10-10 it seemed the Rabbitohs had the momentum but a miskicked grubber saw CYMS big man Iliesa Navatu scoop up the ball and offload to Daryl Cubby who ran half the field to score under the posts.
The Rabbitohs weren't going away and drew level again when second-rower Justin Shillingsworth powered over the line before a dropped ball from Dylan Fuller saw Cubby race away and score his second as the Fishies hung on for the win.
"We probably lapsed a bit," Ryan said of his defence.
"They scored a couple of long range tries and a good one from the bomb but there's plenty to work on for us."
Westside coach Rob Lake couldn't hide his disappointment after getting so close but said being able to mix it with the likes of CYMS after just three weeks in the competition was a credit to his squad.
"We've got a few things to work on but the boys know now they can compete with the best," he said.
"The attitude is there and if we stick together like we are, one big family, we'll go alright."
o DUBBO CYMS 22 (Daryl Cubby 2, Alex Bonham, Matt Naden tries; Colby Pellow 3/4 conversions) DEF WESTSIDE RABBITOHS 16 (Dylan Fuller, EJ Fernanado, Justin Shillingsworth tries; Kurt Fuller 2/3 conversions).
