The mercy rule was used for the first time in the 2021 Group 11 season on Sunday as Dubbo CYMS dominated the battling Narromine Jets.
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After a somewhat even start to the match that featured plenty of defence from CYMS, the unbeaten Fishies ran riot and led 66-4 with 20 minutes remaining when the whistle sounded.
The decision was made after the NSWRL last year introduced a mercy rule that stated a senior match could be called off if the points differential was more than 60 points.
It was another strong statement from CYMS, which has reached at least 40 points in each of the first four rounds this season.
"It was good, 100 per cent effort from the boys in defence," lock Mark Merritt said after the win.
"I think that set the platform in the first 10 or 15 minutes of the game.
"You know it was a bash and barge game early on but the boys just took over."
Merritt is one of the older players in the CYMS side but he relishes the opportunity to play in the top grade.
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"I enjoy it. I love the opportunity just to get up and real with the younger fellas," he said.
"It always makes push a bit harder trying to keep up with them and you always getting older and stuff."
After Jeremy Thurston opened the scoring for CYMS, the Dubbo side began to throw the ball around in their own 20-metre line.
Merritt admits the side established the tactic early in the match after analysing the Jets defence.
"We just try and identify some things early on with weaknesses in certain teams and if they are pushing up hard on the ball then we look to extend that and play around them faster," he said.
"Especially when they are trying to bash you in your own 10 but we just try to identify those little weaknesses."
CYMS prop Ben Marlin added to the lead before Alister Beale made a break to hand Thurston his second try of the match.
With the score 16-0 things looked grim for the Jets until half-back Doug Potter snatched an intercept to run 80 metres for a try.
Unfortunately for Narromine, it would be their final points of the game.
Tries to Merritt, Brydon Ramien and Alex Bonham allowed CYMS to end the half with a 36-4 lead.
Merritt snagged his second shortly after the break before the flood gates opened.
Winger Calub Cook scored his first after Thurston made a break down the left-hand side.
Bonham grabbed his second try of the day before Corey Drew joined in on the action.
Finally, Ramien scored his second and the referee called the end of the match with 20 minutes remaining with the score 66-4.
- DUBBO CYMS 66 (Jeremy Thurston 2, Alex Bonham 2, Mark Merritt 2, Brydon Ramien 2, Calub Cook, Jyie Chapman, Corey Drew, Ben Marlin tries; Thurston 6, Ali Beale, Billy Sing, Jordi Madden goals) defeated NARROMINE JETS 4 (Doug Potter try)
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