For so many people in Nyngan and the far west the sign of rain was a much-welcome one on Sunday.
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And while no-one was complaining at all about the downpour, it didn't do the Tigers many favours at Larkin Oval against the Group 11 leading Dubbo CYMS.
CYMS captain-coach Jarryn Powyer credited the rain, which started to fall shortly before half-time, for his side's performance.
The Fishies maintained their unbeaten start to the season at the home of the Tigers on Sunday afternoon, overcoming a somewhat untidy start to post a 34-12 victory.
"Funnily enough it was when the weather come along. We got the wet weather and we started playing just really safe footy and that's what got us home," Powyer said post-game.
"When it was dry we were a bit scrappy because we were trying too much, but then we went back to basics second half and that's where it came."
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Both sides went into the round six fixture missing a number of key players.
The most notable for the Tigers was captain-coach Justin Carney, who suffered a hamstring injury the previous week against Narromine, while fullback Sam Simmons was also among those unavailable.
CYMS made the trek without the likes of Brad Pickering, Corey Cox, and Ben Marlin, forcing Powyer to again change things up.
Ainsley Coxsedge made his first appearance of the season up front, but it was some of the Fishies' more creative sparks who were key in the win.
Hamish Astill was tireless at hooker and again got through a mountain of work while five-eighth Alex Bonham continues to shine after a slow start to the season.
CYMS opted to take the two when handed penalties twice during the first half and Bonham's boot helped created a lead, before the number six lit up Larkin Oval in the second half and scored a fine try in the 22-point win.
We got the wet weather and we started playing just really safe footy.
- CYMS captain-coach Jarryn Powyer
"It was a great effort from all the boys, obviously, but Hamish really put in a solid 80 minute effort and Alex Bonham a bit of magic, you can't beat a bit of magic like that. I can't coach that so it was beautiful," Powyer said, before praising his side's depth.
"We've got a strong squad of 20-25 players so there's full confidence (in everyone), but Nyngan at Nyngan has always been our bogey game.
"They give it to us every time out here, so it's good to get another win up today."
Fishies fullback Byron Warren, a former Tigers junior and first grade captain-coach, was the one who copped it the most from the Nyngan faithful.
While he had last laugh and got to savour a win, the Tigers fans took great joy in seeing the Fishies number one get sin-binned during the second half.
CYMS remains four points clear at the top of the ladder after Sunday's win while Nyngan, after starting the year with three wins on the trot, has now lost three games in succession.
CYMS' attention now turns to Saturday's huge Challenge Cup final against Guildford.
Nyngan plays host to Macquarie during a long weekend reunion round special next Sunday.
- DUBBO CYMS 34 (Wade Kavanagh, Corey Drew, Jayden Merritt, Alex Bonham, Billy Sing tries; Bonham 7 goals) defeated NYNGAN TIGERS 12 (Clynton Edwards, Dean Woods, Sione Fakahua tries)