Since knocking off the Fishies 36-24 in Dubbo in round 14 during season 2015 – a season Wellington finished third – it’s been slim pickings for the maroon and whites.

A promising start to the 2018 title race brought about two fairly convincing wins and until last weekend’s hiccup against the Spacemen in Parkes, everything was going fairly well to script leading into one of the group’s biggest grudge matches.

CYMS is, of course, unbeaten with three wins and no losses nearing the end of the opening month of the year, and although Wellington dropped last weekend’s clash 28-24, the Fishies and Cowboys meet at Kennard Park on Sunday in a top-of-the-table battle.

And the visiting premiers can expect some fireworks when they run out.

“We’re looking to take on CYMS. We want to be the top togs this year ... come round four she should be fireworks,” Ryan said after his side’s round two victory over Westside.

Ryan’s obviously unabashed in his side’s ambition for 2018.

And while hope is in abundance at Wellington this season, confidence is oozing from the Dubbo club.

The last time a Cowboys side knocked off the Fishies, former NRL halfback Joe Williams inspired the 12-point victory at Apex Oval, Justin Toomey-White hasn’t left for Wyong yet and Kotoni Staggs, the young Brisbane Broncos debutant on Friday night, was in the centres for the Cowboys.

A lot has changed since, but the rivalry remains.

League tag kicks off the day at 11am on Sunday.