City sides may not respect bush footy but everyone will get a clear idea of what it’s all about when Dubbo CYMS hosts the New South Wales Challenge Cup next month.
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That’s the feelings of CYMS chairman Kevin Walkom after it was confirmed the Fishies will host the Guildford Owls in the final of the statewide competition at Apex Oval on June 30.
The Fishies qualified for the decider after downing Newcastle’s Wests Rosellas in April while Guildford’s win over Glebe last week means they will now trek west for a final which will have a real city-versus-country feel.
“I don’t think they (city teams) totally understand and respect the level of talent in the bush,” Walkom said.
“While the game will allow us to see where we’re at it also allows bush footy to display its talent.
I don’t think they totally understand and respect the level of talent in the bush
- Kevin Walkom on Sydney club sides
“City sides think they might just be playing out in the bush somewhere … it’s going to be a good experience for us, win or lose.
“Hopefully we’re competitive enough and have the talent to compete and win it. Let’s be honest, that’s what we want.”
The match is certain to be the biggest club game in the western region for some time, with a host of NSW Rugy League (NSWRL) and Country Rugby League (CRL) officials to be on hand.
The Owls, currently on top of the ladder in the Ron Massey Cup, will also bring a huge amount of talent with them, with the likes of former Parramatta Eels Matt Ryan and Taniela Lasalo regularly among the side’s best this year.
“I think it’s something Dubbo and the wider region should be proud of,” Walkom said of hosting the game.
“People should come down and show the administrators of the game from NSWRL and those on the other side of the sandstone curtain how much rugby league means to our community.
“This can be a step in the right direction for bush footy and we can show everyone what country rugby league is all about.”
CYMS currently sits top of the Group 11 ladder, undefeated after five rounds, and Walkom said everyone involved with the defending premiers should be proud to be involved with the club’s success.
The side beat Wests before the Group 11 season began in an effort coach Tim Ryan described as “special.”
“Someone like Tim Ryan has put a lot of time and effort in so it’s a credit to him,” he said.
While Walkom feels the inception of the Challenge Cup, a competition created by both the NSWRL and CRL, which harks back to the days of the Amco Cup, he feels it could be tweaked to make things easier for all sides involved.
CYMS are scheduled to play the Parkes Spacemen he day after the clash with the Owls but the club is working with Group 11 and the Parkes club to see if that match could be moved, potentially to the general bye weekend in late July.
“It’s a great concept but it would be really good to have a competition like this compliment draws rather than conflict with them,” he said.
The final is likely to kick-off at 2pm and curtain-raisers haven’t been confirmed yet.
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.
