Dubbo CYMS chairman Kevin Walkom admits it’s “not the most ideal situation” but says the Fishies first grade side has to rise to the challenge of playing two games in two days this weekend.
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CYMS meets the Guildford Owls in the NSW Challenge Cup final on Saturday and it was confirmed on Tuesday morning the Fishies would have to back-up and play the Group 11 round nine clash with Parkes on the Sunday.
Ideas had been floated around in regards to pushing the CYMS-Parkes first grade clash to a later date, but now both fixtures will be played at Apex Oval this weekend.
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“Of course it is not the most ideal situation, we’ve got a big game Saturday and then have got to roll up on Sunday but the final decision was handed down and everyone knows where they’re heading and it’s a challenge for the boys to play twice in two days,” Walkom said.
“I fully understand the process and the decision has been made.”
The process stems back to pre-season, when the Fishies had to forego an official trial match and Group 11 representative training in order to play their first game of the Challenge Cup against Wests Rosellas.
Group 11 secretary Paul Loxley and the board told CYMS then any other game in the statewide competition could not conflict with the club competition, unless an agreement could be made with whichever club the defending premiers were due to play.
Loxley stated it was “ultimately Parkes’ decision” and he was fully supportive of the Spacemen wanting the match to go ahead.
“I hope they (CYMS) do well and it’s great for the Group,” Loxley said of playing in the Challenge Cup final.
“And I was really impressed when they played the first game at Newcastle and then came back to train. I was personally appreciative and the Group was as well.”
The Challenge Cup decider is one of the biggest games in CYMS’ proud history with the competition one for the best sides in the Country Rugby League (CRL) and NSW Rugby League (NSWRL).
The Guildford Owls currently sit on top of the Ron Massey Cup ladder and feature the likes of former NRL player Taniela Lasalo in their ranks.
We’ve got a big game Saturday and then have got to roll up on Sunday.
- CYMS chairman Kevin Walkom
CYMS downed Newcastle powerhouse Wests Rosellas in its semis to earn hosting rights for the final.
“We’re looking forward to it and it’s been a good build-up for the club,” Walkom said.
“There’s a level of excitement around playing in such an important game for the Country Rugby League and NSW Rugby League.
“People say ‘what do they do for us’ when talking about the CRL or NSWRL but they’ve put together this initiative and it’s a step in the right direction.”
While Saturday’s game is a massive chance for a bush footy club to show its city counterparts what country rugby league is all about, CYMS’ match on Sunday is also important.
The Fishies are unbeaten on top of the Group 11 ladder while Parkes sits equal second. The match is part of a tricky run for the Spacemen, following on from last week’s tight win over Macquarie and leading into clashes with the Wellington Cowboys and Nyngan Tigers.
The Challenge Cup final kicks off at 2pm at Apex Oval on Saturday.