Scott Tucker (70) was the pick of the batsmen for the Hornets as they set an impressive 275-run total, before knocking CYMS over for 241.

Skipper Mitch Bower said the memory of Fraser – who passed away before Christmas at just 16 years of age – was what drove his former South Dubbo teammates to the win.

“Souths verse CYMS used to be called the Castlereagh Cup but it was renamed to the Sam Fraser Cup so to win that was something special for us,” Bower said.

“Sam was part of our team. He’s always in the back of our minds now and we try and win as many games as we can for him.”

Their intent was clear from the outset.

Souths quickly went to work with the bat with Will Lindsay and fill-in opener James Duffy building up a 63-run partnership before Lindsay fell to James ‘Busta’ Nelson.

Bower himself got out for a duck, but Duffy held on to put 56 runs on the board before he too fell to Nelson.

‘Busta’ was the star of CYMS’ bowlers, claiming 3/48, while Brock Larance picked up 2/39, including the crucial wicket of Greg Rummans (50).

But there was wag in the Hornet’s tail, with Kyle Wells racking up 31 runs before Tucker made his mark.

“To post 275 was a great effort,” Bower said.

“It was good to see some other players perform rather that the players we’ve relied on in the past.”

The Hornets continued their positive intent in the field, and looked to have the game well in hand when Herd caught Lewis Matthews in the first over.

But Larance and Ben Knaggs quickly put the foot down to rack up a 110-run partnership.

Ryan Medley replaced Larance and notched a half-century of his own, but his wicket – a direct hit from Duffy – marked the end of the Cougars’ resistance.

“They batted well – those three had them right in the game up until about the 43^rd over, and then they just lost a few wickets,” Bower said.

“It was a good game, a hard game, so it was good to get a win.”