The Wellington Cowboys fell victim to a 98-point defeat at the hands of Dubbo CYMS on Sunday who for the second time this season racked up a triple-figure victory.
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The Cowboys couldn’t contain the ladder leaders who ultimately brought Wellington’s finals hopes undone to the tune of 104-6.
CYMS led 56-nil at half time and by that stage the match was all but over, said captain-coach Aidan Ryan who was absent from the Round 12 clash.
He said he Cowboys had initially gone into the match with the intention to control the scoreline against Group 11’s benchmark side, however those efforts were hampered due to 13 of his players putting in 80 minutes for Reserve Grade just prior.
The captain-coach was left frustrated at the lack of dedication by Reserve Grade.
“Four Reggies showed up to the game and we didn’t want to be a club that forfeits,” Ryan said.
“We’ve got to do what’s right for the club to move forward, so it’s pretty disappointing that those Reggies let all our First Grade players down.
“We got a win for them and they’ll most likely play semi-final footy now all because of my players who can’t benefit anything from it because they don’t qualify.
“I was pretty upset actually.”
First Grade was boosted by junior players who stepped up to the mark for their third game of the day. Ryan gave credit to young Will Peckham and Mac Dutfield who are an indication of the talent coming through the club.
“That’s a positive sign to show that we have a future ahead with these young fellas coming up who want to play,” he said.
“On the negative side it’s pretty poor to the full grown men in the club that these kids have to step up and get bashed around by these full grown men, especially CYMS.
“It’s pretty disappointing for those young fellas.”
Ryan said the Cowboys have brushed off the loss and will switch their focus to the weekend’s Saturday game against Macquarie Raiders.
Round 13 will see the return of several key players including Ryan, Shannon Ireland and Brian Baxter.
The clash doubles as a Mental Health Round which includes the auction of specially-designed jerseys at the South Dubbo Tavern following the match on Saturday night.
“Macquarie lost one of their players last year to suicide and we just want to make everyone aware about mental health and that if you’re feeling down in that state that it’s alright to talk,” Ryan said.
“Men have got too much pride to talk about their mental health issues – we bottle it up and don’t like showing emotion, so we’re trying to get that message out there that it’s okay to talk with someone.
“It’s going to be a really special round.”
The day will kick off with League Tag at Caltex Park from 11am.
“Hopefully we can be competitive against Macquarie, turn it around and finish the last two games off strong,” Ryan said.
DUBBO CYMS 104 (Alex Bonham 8, Jyie Chapman 2, Wade Kavanagh 2, Viliame Turuva 2, Brad Pickering 2, Kieran Cubby-Shipp, Joeby Vetaukula tries; Bonham 16 goals) defeated WELLINGTON COWBOYS 6 (Will Lousick try, Will Allen goal)
