Group 11 minor premiers Dubbo CYMS will use a weekend off to figure out where it went wrong in the final two weeks of the regular season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
After being close to untouchable for the first 12 rounds of the year, the Fishies finished the season with back-to-back losses at Nyngan and then Forbes on Sunday.
The defending premiers won 18-12 on Sunday but Fishies centre Jyie Chapman said his side isn’t panicking.
As minor premiers, CYMS have this weekend off before playing the winner of Sunday’s major semi-final between the Tigers and Magpies at Caltex Park on August 27.
“After back-to-back losses I think everyone is keen to have a bit of a week off and a rest and talk about where we went wrong,” Chapman said.
“It seems some people around town and other clubs had been talking like we could never lose but we can, we’re playing bush footy and anyone can lose.
“Now people are saying we’ve lost two and we won't win again or can’t go any further but I think this will just push the boys on further.”
CYMS were minus skipper Luke Jenkins and Chapman’s centre partner Wade Kavanagh but there were few excuses, as Forbes was powered home by a strong home crowd.
The Fishies led 12-10 midway through the second half but a four-pointer to Forbes winger Jason Hoswell turned out to be the match-winner.
Chapman stated he “hated losing” but added the past two weeks against the second and third sides in Group 11 was just what his side needed.
“We just need to fix a few little things now,” he said.
“Forbes was never going to be easy and it was good after the game having a chat to their Old Boys and stuff like that. It’s what you want. You don’t want to be running over teams every week.”
While there is a mood of disappointment around the club following the two losses, Chapman said winning the minor premiership and being the best side across the course of the regular season was something to be proud of.
“It’s a good achievement,” he said.
“We get the week off now to get stuck in at training and like we’ve said, it’s not the big one but it’s the second biggest one.”
While not stating who he felt would win this Sunday’s major semi between Nyngan and Forbes at Larkin Oval, Chapman said either way his side was in for another huge test the following weekend.
CYMS supporters are expected to make the trip to not only scout the two first grade sides, but also cheer on the Fishies reserves and under 18s players, who will be in major semis against Nyngan and Macquarie respectively.
The finals begin at Parkes on Saturday with the minor semis. Macquarie meets the hosts in the main game there.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
