While pleased to see his side keep its season alive last weekend, Dubbo CYMS under 18s coach Bernard Wilson called on his side to be “better again” heading into the minor semi-final with the Parkes Spacemen.
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The Fishies found form late in the regular season and finished fourth on the ladder, then knocking out Dubbo rivals Macquarie in the opening week of finals.
It was a relatively comfortable 26-8 win, but it wasn’t the type of complete performance demanded this time of year.
Wilson was all too aware his side needed to find that level for this weekend’s meeting with Parkes.
In what has been a closely-fought competition all season, the Spacemen finished the regular season in second but downed by Wellington in a drama-filled qualifying semi-final clash at Kennard Park last weekend.
In that game, Parkes fought back from 10-0 down early to lead 14-10 at half-time but the second stanza was marred by a worrying neck injury to Spacemen forward Will Press.
Press was on the ground for more than 45 minutes before being transported from the ground via ambulance but, thankfully, he was cleared of any major damage on Monday.
How the Luke Clarke-coached Spacemen got over that game, both physically and psychologically, could go a long way to deciding this weekend’s contest.
With a number of Parkes players also expected to back-up for Saturday’s first grade game at Pioneer Oval, the under 18s fixture has been moved to the first game of the day at 11.30am.