The Guildford Owls won’t be underestimating Dubbo CYMS when the Sydney club heads west to play in this weekend’s NSW Challenge Cup final.
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The Challenge Cup, a joint venture between the Country Rugby League (CRL) and NSW Rugby League (NSWRL) pits the best sides in the bush against their city counterparts and the Owls will take on the Fishies in the decider at Apex Oval on Saturday.
The Owls come highly regarded, the proud club sitting in the top four on the Ron Massey Cup ladder and featuring a number of prominent names in the coaching and playing ranks.
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Unfortunately for footy fans, some of those key players are unavailable this weekend due to injury but Guildford president Graham Bonwick still wants his side to “put on a show”.
“Some (of the players) have never done a road trip like this before so we’re all looking forward to it,” Bonwick said.
“It’s an opportunity for our boys to show what they’ve got in front of a country crowd and I know they’re looking forward to that.”
The Guildford club, based in the Parramatta region and featuring former Eels Taniela Lasalo and Matt Ryan in its ranks, hasn slipped from the top of the ladder in recent weeks and the injury-struck squad suffered a 24-14 loss to Cabramatta last time out.
Bonwick said he expects CYMS to be at a level comparable to a club side in Newcastle and added he’s all too aware country players will be fired up for the chance to take on a city side.
“We fully expect it and we’ve been keeping an eye on the mail out there,” Bonwick said, referring to CYMS chairman Kevin Walkom’s statement regarding city sides not totally respecting bush footy.
Hopefully we give back as much as we get.
- Guildford president Graham Bonwick
“I saw that story and that’s fine. We expect it and hopefully we give as much back as we get.
“Play as hard and as fast as you like, as long as it’s within the rules. We know it’s going to be tough.
“We’ve told the boys don’t go thinking you’re in for a game of touch. You’ll know you’re in a game no matter what the score is.”
Ryan, a forward who played 24 games for Parramatta and 48 matches in the English Super League, will definitely miss the match as he has been all but ruled out for the season with a chronic neck and back issue while the likes of Lasalo, Jack Wheelhouse, Lopeti Wolfgramm and five-eighth Josh Lewis have also missed matches lately.
Bonwick confessed players from the club’s Sydney Shield feeder side may be called up for the weekend’s game at Dubbo.
The outfit is certain to be well-drilled with former Wests Tigers NSW Cup coach Paul Fletcher at the helm.
Fletcher led the Tigers to numerous NSW Cup finals before departing the Tigers in 2015.
The Challenge Cup final kicks off at 2pm at Apex Oval on Saturday.
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.
