AFTER four rounds of the 2014 Group 11 season Dubbo CYMS had only recorded one win and had failed to show any signs of the form which had led them to a spot in the 2013 grand final.
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But coach Tim Ryan was never worried, with a plan in place to make sure his side was playing their best footy at the right time of the year.
And after the disappointment of losing the 2013 premiership to the Parkes Spacemen, yesterday's 34-20 win over the same opponent was even more satisfying for the coach.
"We built into it, we had planned it like that because I thought we peaked a bit too early last year, we were so dominant early last time so we didn't start with a great deal this year and went about things a bit differently," he said after the win.
"It feels good now, I haven't had the chance to speak to many of the boys but it is sweet and everybody says it but it's a feeling of relief.
"There's a lot of the young boys and they've earned it, they've worked hard and we had a great group this year and they deserve it, I'm just happy for them."
CYMS led all match after Alex Bonham scooped up a loose ball following a huge hit on Dennis Moran from Ainsley Coxsedge in just the fifth minute and Parkes captain-coach Pat Rosser was left disappointed and frustrated at his side's inability to create chances.
"We had opportunities but we couldn't really turn that into pressure or points and sometimes things just don't come off the way you plan," he said.
"No one likes to get beat in a grand final but the sun will come up tomorrow and CYMS were just too good today so full credit to them, they've got a lot of young guys and some experienced guys right across the park and they knew when to put the foot down.
"We were pretty courageous to come back, we had some momentum in the second half and were in with a shot but they got a try towards the end and that closed it down."
After Bonham's 80m run put CYMS up 6-0 they extended their lead when a break from John Grey led to fullback Kieran Shipp scoring under the posts and approaching half time it was 18-0 when they went the length of the field in a set and Colby Pellow chased down his own kick to score.
With the game slipping away Parkes needed something and Moran provided the spark when his perfect crossfield kick was taken by a flying Aparosa Ada and the five-eighth's conversion made the halftime score 18-6.
The Spacemen struck first after the break when a smart move from Rosser put Todd Barrow over and then the sides traded tries with Alex Ronayne and Sam Dwyer scoring.
Down 22-14, Parkes were well in the match but Jyie Chapman, earlier in the day named Group 11 player of the year, capped off another outstanding individual performance with a try after beating three defenders from 20 metres out.
Rosser again tried to inspire his side with a tremendous individual effort as he streamrolled the CYMS defence but the Fishies win was sealed with a classic CYMS move.
Luke Jenkins faded left from dummyhalf but passed back inside to Blake Tremain-Cannon who slid through to put the icing on the 34-20 win.
Ryan praised his whole side's efforts but said the win was set up by the defence early on.
"I thought the first 25 minutes set us up with our defence, we held them out for long periods there. They put a few points us and they're a good side but this feels good."
DUBBO CYMS 34 (Alex Bonham, Kieran Shipp, Colby Pellow, Alex Ronayne, Jyie Chapman, Blake Tremain-Cannon tries; Pellow 5 goals) defeated PARKES SPACEMEN 20 (Aparosa Ada, Todd Barrow, Sam Dwyer, Pat Rosser tries; Dennis Moran, Barrow goals)