CYMS under-18s coach Greg McIntosh said his team can’t afford to get carried away with inflicting the first loss for the season over Macquarie Raiders.
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After leading 14-8 at half -ime, CYMS went on to win 24-8 meaning the Raiders will have to overcome Forbes Magpies in the final this Sunday to get another shot at CYMS.
McIntosh and Marty Nelson have done a great job with CYMS this year and they’re playing some good football - but McIntosh says the season is far from over.
“Our game plan is to play up-tempo football but in turn show respect for the opposition,” McIntosh said.
“They (the Raiders) had been unbeaten all year and are the competition favourites.
“Our focus was playing our game of football and letting them worry about themselves.
“Sure we played very well to win the game but like us they have some very good players who will have hurt from losing this first game.
“I would suggest that loss won’t do Macquarie any harm and what we have to consider is that they will come even harder at us next time - if they get through by beating Forbes.”
While Raiders coach Greg Edwards was noticeably upset with some of the calls (from the referee) that went against his team on Sunday, the body language from the players seemed to be of more concern.
They strolled onto the field for the second half seemingly unaware of the importance of the game. They played accordingly and were well beaten on the day.
Probably the worst thing that could have happened to the Raiders was to have winger EJ Fernando score in the opening minutes.
But CYMS prop Max Ray made it 4-all before fullback Mark Sternbeck put the Raiders ahead 8-4 after 15 minutes.
Five minutes later they were over the line but were pulled back for a forward pass and when CYMS had the ball down the other end of the field James Pomfret scored for CYMS.
Near the break Matt Toole crossed again to put CYMS out to 14-8.
With a stiff breeze at the backs the advantage was with CYMS and they made the Raiders paid when firstly Lionel O’Mally and then Bad Spencer scored to get the job done.
Coach McIntosh said the quality of performances from NSW Schoolboys forwards Ray and O’Mally was important in the win while halfback Toole was never far from the action.
However on Sunday they did miss outstanding five-eighth Josh Smith who is injured.
The Raiders will undoubtedly regroup with quality forwards headed by big props Ben McQuillan and Anthony Egan-Smith while halves Josh Merritt and Matt Langby were also strong.
