OUTSIDE existing injuries, both Orange CYMS and Orange Hawks are expected to be at full strength for this weekend’s blockbuster Group 10 premier league local derby at Wade Park.
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CYMS are flying high atop the table through 15 rounds and welcome Dom Maley and Kyran Bubb back into the fold and although Hawks have only scored one win so far in 2016 the two blues are coming off an encouraging performance against Oberon last weekend, in which they seriously pushed the Tigers.
Hawks are expected to field an unchanged side, but will be without winger Jordan Baker and hooker Liam Brodrick who have both been sidelined with injury for several weeks.
After a couple of serious injuries earlier in the year CYMS have enjoyed a golden run in terms of availability in recent weeks and captain-coach Mick Sullivan confirmed his group came through last weekend’s brutal win over Mudgee unscathed.
Robbie Mortimer underwent surgery on his knee mid-week, which he hurt the week prior against Bathurst Panthers, and will miss the rest of the season though.
“Everyone got through it so we’ll have everyone on deck again,” he said.
“Dom was away last weekend and Bubby comes back from suspension this weekend. Dom will slot back into five-eighth while Bubby will play a bit of reserve grade for match fitness leading into the finals and then he should be coming off the bench in premier league.”
I imagine with the year they’ve had winning a game like this would be like winning a grand final for [Hawks].
- CYMS captain-coach Mick Sullivan
Sullivan gave Hawks plenty of credit despite the two blues sitting eighth with just one win to their name, which came over Lithgow in late May.
As is always said before a local derby in any code, Sullivan sent the reminder that regardless of standings sides lift when they take on their traditional rivals.
“Even though Hawks are struggling they’ll always lift for local derbies,” Sullivan said.
“They haven’t been getting embarrassed, a 34-10 scoreline against Oberon is pretty good for them, Oberon are a good side and very capable of scoring points.
“I imagine with the year they’ve had winning a game like this would be like winning a grand final for them so if we do take them too lightly there is always a chance of them pulling our pants down.
“But I’ll make sure the boys are all ready for it, to ensure that doesn’t happen.”
CYMS haven’t been beaten since losing to Bathurst St Pat’s in round nine and another win would go a long way to securing the green and golds the 2016 minor premiership.
This weekend’s all-Orange derby day kicks off with league tag at 11.30am before an exhibition game between CYMS and Bloomfield Tigers’ – Hawks’ feeder club – under-8 sides at 12.30pm.
Because of Hawks’ lack on under-18 team this year the third game on the card is first division at 1.30pm before the main event, premier league, which kicks off at 3pm.
Matt Findlay
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
