CYMS go back-to-back in top defensive stand
By NICK GUTHRIE
YOU could tell the 2015 premiership was special to Dubbo CYMS by the way the coach Tim Ryan ran out on to the field after the full-time whistle.
The so often reserved and quiet coach was overjoyed after his side defeated the Parkes Spaceman 18-6 at Caltex Park to become the first side to win back-to-back Group 11 titles in 11 years.
After falling behind early, the Fishies responded and converted tries to Kieran Shipp and Billy Sing saw them lead 12-6 at the break.
A Jarryn Powyer four-pointer was the only scoring play in the second half as CYMS held out Dennis Moran and the Spacemen to cap off another hugely successful year.
"It's great," Ryan said after the match.
"The boys put in a great effort and to go back-to-back is very good.
"It's the first time in 11 years so it's a great thing."
Parkes captain-coach Dennis Moran was too disappointed to speak after the match but halfback Alex Prout, who was contained by the CYMS defence all match, summed up his side's emotions.
"It's never easy losing a grand final but it was a tough game," he said.
"It was close but tough for the whole 80 minutes and CYMS were too good."
Luke Jenkins was outstanding for CYMS, playing both lock and hooker at times, and was awarded the Bob Weir Medal for the player of the match.
Matt Naden was also a standout at five-eighth but as Ryan said after the match "no one had a bad game".
Parkes started the far better of the two sides and when Moran forced a drop out after three minutes it did not take long for big Brendan Tago to steamroll his way over and open the scoring.
The Spacemen continued to have the better chances after that but 14 minutes later the Fishies got on the board when Jenkins managed to offload to Tony Pellow, who in turn found fullback Kieran Shipp, who scooted the final 10 metres and dived over next to the uprights.
Naden converted the try before a Moran penalty goal locked it up at 6-all.
That was shaping as they way it would remain until the break but four minutes out a grubber from Naden forced a line drop out.
From the ensuing set, Billy Sing got the ball 30m from the tryline, powered his way down the sideline and into the in goal to put his side back in front.
Naden's conversion made it a six-point game at half time.
The men in green and white started the better after the break and when Parkes prop Dave Masoe knocked on 35m from his own tryline, CYMS worked the ball into an attacking position and Jarryn Powyer hit a gap to extend the lead.
The conversion was again successful but the Fishies missed out on chances to extend the lead when Tony Pellow missed a field goal chance before Naden then missed a penalty goal.
With two converted tries the difference Parkes tried everything but couldn't get through the clinical CYMS defence and parochial Fishies fans exploded into celebration at the final whistle.
"I was very happy with our defence and the desire and attitude," Ryan said.
"I think that's the hardest thing to do when you've won it before, that attitude when backing up but we had it today and it was great."
Parkes were without two key players with Sam Dwyer and Hayden Robinson both injured but Prout refused to use that as an excuse and admitted CYMS were the superior outfit.
"The side we played with today played the majority of the game against CYMS last time and those boys that filled in today they were awesome so can't blame that," he said.
"CYMS were just too good."