CYMS was already the youngest team in the RSL-Whitney Cup and the competition’s bottom-placed side will have its average age drop even lower on Saturday.
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The Cougars, despite showing glimpses of quality, sit last on the ladder and are the only side not have recorded a win yet in 2017/18.
One of the biggest obstacles for CYMS, and all sides this weekend, is the fact there is plenty of rain predicted to fall.
On Saturday against Macquarie the men in green will be without the experienced Dave McAlister and teenagers Lachie Endacott, Josh Thompson and the in-form Connor Watts have all been called up.
Thompson has RSL-Whitney Cup experience while Watts and Endacott have been among the best for the CYMS’ second grade outfit which is currently undefeated.
Both Watts and Endacott were part of the Cougars side which won in the McDonald’s Megahit earlier this month.
For Macquarie, this weekend’s match at No. 1 Oval offers the chance to return to form after last round’s loss to South Dubbo.
At No. 2 Oval, an RSL-Colts side which won for the first time last round takes on Rugby.
Rugby remains top but has struggled for form of late and both it and Colts will be missing players due to Orana Outlaws and Plan B Regional Bash representative commitments.
After wins in the opening two rounds, Rugby has suffered back-to-back losses to Macquarie and Newtown and might be without Ben Patterson in the clash with the defending premiers.
Colts,which could have Greg Buckley, Jason Ryan and Darrel Williams missing, looked more like its usual self in last weekend’s win over CYMS.
Paul Hulthen and Matt Keenan have been named to return to the side while Wes Giddings, who was a star for the Outlaws last season but didn’t make the 2017/18 squad, will be a key figure.
The final match of the round will be played out at No. 3 Oval with South Dubbo doing battle with Newtown.
Souths, which has Mitch Bower, Henry Railz and Will Lindsay in the Outlaws squad, was back close to its best last weekend when downing Macquarie.
Angus Norton, a former Macquarie player, starred with a score of 74 and he will be key again if the Outlaws trio are unavailable to play before Saturday night’s game in Orange.
Souths will also look to Will Wolter, who is back with the club after some time away.
Wolter is expected to feature at the top of the order while his spin bowling will no doubt come in handy for the Hornets.
The injury-hit Newtown has punched above its weight this summer and heads into the weekend in third spot.
Jordan Peacock has starred for the Tigers but is part of the Outlaws side, leaving the in-form Wayne Dunlop and Dan Holland to do the bulk of the work with the bat.
Matches start 1pm.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
