"CYMS was the enemy," he said.

So when he now finds himself running out in the green and white of the Dubbo side at Apex Oval it's a slightly surreal experience.

Playing in the western area again is something Thompson is savouring, having departed Narromine for the Penrith Panthers as a hugely exciting junior after the 2015 season.

He spent four years at the foot of the mountains, playing SG Ball, under 20s, and NSW Cup with the Panthers, before spending the 2020 pre-season with Newtown and then playing in round one of the Ron Massey Cup with the Windsor Wolves.

But then COVID struck and competitions were cancelled, leaving the versatile playmaker facing a winter involving nothing but a focus on fitness.

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CYMS, however, knew of his quality and offered Thompson a spot in their squad for the Presidents Cup and it was one he gladly took.

"I think there's some not too happy with me," Thompson laughed when talking about those back in his home town.

"But they're okay with me getting to play in some capacity ... and playing in the green and white it was good to see some support there."

Thompson's performances at hooker have been one of the real highlights of CYMS' cup campaign.

And given the amount of effort required to turn up and play each week it's no small feat.

Thompson still lives and works in Sydney but he travels back each week to be part of the captain's run and then each game.

He's also playing in a position he hasn't regularly played in since his junior days with the Jets but, given he's normally a half, his running and kicking games have added plenty to CYMS' attack.

The only thing missing is a few more wins.

CYMS heads into this weekend's round five meeting with the Glebe Burwood Wolves with just one victory to its name and sits four points off the top four.

"The team was thrown together a bit and a lot have played together but a lot have never have played together," Thompson said of CYMS' performances.

"Considering the make-up of the competition and the sides and a lot of ex-NRL experience, we've really been mixing it with those city sides."

And Thompson is hopeful the performances against the high-calibre sides can get him noticed.

Given so many competitions around the state have been cancelled there are plenty of eyes on the Presidents Cup and as someone looking for a new home next season Thompson is doing all he can to drive the Fishies towards more success.

"There's no substitute for playing matches and I've also had the opportunity to come home and see some family and it's an experience I didn't expect so I feel blessed," he said.

"But there's also a lot of exposure. I'm still looking for the next opportunity and something to come my way but hopefully I can earn a spot in a NSW Cup side next season."

CYMS is back at Apex Oval on Sunday and takes on a Glebe side which sits fourth and is coming off its first loss last weekend.

The side is loaded with experienced Sydney campaigners but Thompson has some inside info having completed pre-season at Newtown with a number of their players.

That could be valuable during Sunday's match at Apex Oval given CYMS will be without livewire fullback Tony Pellow and NRL premiership winner Jayson Bukuya due to injury.

"We've just got to complete, kick well and do nothing stupid," Thompson said.

"We have to hold the ball because they're going to throw a lot at us."

Kick-off on Sunday is at 1pm.