The end of the Presidents Cup is coming too soon for Dubbo CYMS after the Fishies put together one of their best performances of the season in Sunday's win over Wentworthville.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 30-10 victory keeps CYMS' slim finals hopes alive but they will need to win their final two matches while also relying on results to go their way to finish in the top four.
Finals might be a big ask from this point but Saturday's performance, against a side from Sydney, was one which delighted the Fishies faithful.
"I wish we were starting now, the way we're playing," CYMS prop Jack Kavanagh, who scored his side's first try at Apex Oval, said post-game.
The only downside for the Dubbo side was a potentially season-ending hamstring injury to Tony Pellow suffered while he was going in to score right on half-time.
READ ALSO:
Pellow had again been a standout during his time on the field and was a major part of CYMS' fast start.
After weeks of playing in the cold and on wet - and sometimes waterlogged - surfaces the warm and dry conditions at Apex Oval were welcome on Saturday.
The Fishies used it to their advantage, with the amount of ball-playing and offloads increased greatly compared to recent matches.
The forwards - led by Kavanagh, Billy Sing and Ben Marlin - continually punched holes in the Magpies' defence early on and the former went over from close range on 13 minutes while an offload from the prop led to Jayson Bukuya scoring less than 10 minutes later.
Jyie Chapman and Pellow also crossed in the space of four minutes late in the half to have the hosts in complete control at 22-0.
"It was definitely pleasing," Kavanagh said.
"I think we executed a lot better this week than we have in the past and gelled a bit better and there was less mistakes in the first half and that led to us getting that little win early.
"At the start of the year we sort of wanted to stay away from the offloads but now we're getting a bit more confident it's happening and one today led to a try and others led to quick play the balls as well."
The lead grew to 30-0 in the second half following a second for Chapman and a Jeremy Thurston four-pointer but the quality dropped off late as players tired in the heat and the Magpies were able to nab two late consolation tries.
As well as the strong start and momentum built by the forward pack, the kicking game of Bayden Searle, Alex Bonham, and Issac Thompson also kept CYMS on top for the bulk of the match.
The win was CYMS' second of the campaign while the Magpies remain eighth on the nine-team ladder with just the one victory to their name.
Injuries to centres Taufa Afu and Omar Slaimankhel further soured the performance for the visitors.
"It's been a bit of a frustrating year," Magpies prop Adam Spicer said.
"Wenty has had players not available who would have been before coronavirus but the boys are sticking together and getting through the season as best we can and that's all you can ask.
"I couldn't be more proud of the boys for sticking together"
While there was frustration in the Magpies shed post-game the CYMS' song was belted out with great gusto.
It's been one of only a few times Kavanagh has been able to take part in the song this year after he returned home for the 2020 season following time with St George Illawarra under 20s, Queensland Cup sides, and in Group 7.
There was no Group 11 season and while he's battled a knee injury for some of the Presidents Cup the chance to play with some former junior teammates - and nab a first try of the cup season on Saturday - has been something he's savoured.
"I'm loving it and loving being back home," he said.
"Its good being around all the boys you grew up with and the footy has been top quality and a bit more than I expected but enjoying it.
"I just wish the fitness was higher than what it was."