CYMS host Nyngan Tigers in final round
Nick Guthrie - Daily Liberal
FULL OF RUNNING: Colby Pellow is one of a number of CYMS players who will be key on Sunday. Photo: BELINDA SOOLE
CYMS coach Tim Ryan is adamant he isn’t concerned if his side finishes the regular season unbeaten or not, with his main focus being a strong hit-out against the Nyngan Tigers before the Group 11 finals.
The Fishies meet the second-placed Tigers at Caltex Park on Sunday with the knowledge they will have next week off as they are guaranteed to finish as minor premiers.
But there is still plenty to play for, with Nyngan needing a win to cement a top two finish while Ryan doesn’t want one of his rivals to gain a psychological edge heading into the finals.
“We don’t think about it too much and haven’t talked about it,” Ryan said in regards to his side’s unbeaten run.
“It’s just the next game and that’s it. Hopefully the weather is good on Sunday and it’s a match with Nyngan, who are in the top two, so it couldn’t get any better than that.
“Our attitude has been good so hopefully we can keep that up and it’s not a nothing game for us, we’re ready to go.”
The last match between the two side’s was arguably the match of the season, with CYMS claiming a thrilling 8-7 win at Larkin Oval.
The Tigers are expected to bring a large group of supporters with them on Sunday, with the aim to inspire their side to an upset win and guaranteed second-place finish.
However, if the Tigers lose and other results go against them, they could slip to fourth place.
“They’re like a lot of the sides who have a lot to play for,” Ryan said.
“They want to stay in second so we expect them to come out well and they’ll be smarting from the loss against us.”
While wary of the Tigers, Ryan’s focus is continual improvement within his own side.
While they haven’t lost a game yet in 2016, the coach has continued to say CYMS can still improve, especially after a somewhat disjointed performance in the win over Parkes last round.
“It was not as well as we could have played but it’s always tough over there,” he said, before admitting CYMS could still start matches better.
“Probably to a certain degree. I think we completed one of five sets and our defence was a bit ordinary and our attack was a bit clunky.
“We know where we need to go but we’re just not doing it. But like I said last week, I think it’s something all sides have had this season with not much training being a factor. But we’ve had two good sessions this week.”
Both Alex Ronayne and John Grey will miss the match through injury while Ryan confessed there are some other niggling injuries he will monitor in the lead-up to kick-off. The action at Caltex Park begins with the League Tag at 11am while first grade will kick-off at 2.30pm.