Dubbo CYMS have fought back from a 14-0 deficit to beat a gutsy Wellington outfit 24-18 at Kennard Park on Sunday.
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The Cowboys caught their unbeaten rivals by surprise, scoring from the kick-off and again soon after, as well as kicking two penalty goals to open a buffer.
However CYMS didn’t panic and got themselves back into the match, hitting the lead for the first time early in the second half.
Wellington tried to hang on, but CYMS showed why they have been the benchmark team in Group 11 for so long.
The match also marked the Wellington debut for Nathan Merritt and he set up a second half try for the hosts.
“It was a good game. Both teams came to play. There was some quality football. There were a few errors from both teams but I think it would have been a good one to watch,” Pat’s coach Tim Ryan said.
Cowboys fullback Will Lousick opened the scoring in the first minute of play when the CYMS defence were caught out by Wellington’s speed.
Adrian Davis converted the try and added a further two points when his team got a penalty in front of the uprights.
Wellington’s second try also came from long-range with a line break down the left allowing winger Jarrin Fernando to score. Davis missed the kick but another penalty goal helped his side to a 14-0 lead.
The team both had players sent to the bin in the 21st minute, with Jarren Poywer for CYMS and Louis Stanley for the Cowboys.
CYMS closed the gap while they were off the field, with Corey Cox going over, and with a few minutes left in the half, he was over again.
Pickering converted both to make it 14-12 and CYMS were on the attack again as the siren sounded.
During half-time Brogan Black was taken to Orange Hospital after a heavy tackle.
The second half started in the worst possible way for Wellington as Jesse Wighton found space from the kick-off to run 90 metres.
Cowboys skipper Aidan Ryan was forced to leave the field after dislocating his knee, and soon after CYMS front rower Nick Harvey busted the line and ran 40 metres to give his side a 10 point advantage.
Wellington scored late when Justin Toomey-White gathered a loose ball and passed to Merritt, who flicked it to Brad McCarroll for a late consolation try.