Dubbo CYMS secures back-to-back grand final berths after dominant major semi win
Nick Guthrie - Daily Liberal
TOO GOOD: CYMS moved into the grand final with ease on Sunday, downing the Forbes Magpies.
After a dominant regular season it was only right the Dubbo CYMS league tag side would win through to this year’s grand final with minimal fuss.
The Fishies were rarely threatened on Sunday during a convincing 22-0 major semi-final win over the Forbes Magpies.
While the attack was electric, the likes of Majayda Darcy, Rikka Lamb-Lane and Kimberlee Gordon were all heavily involved for the minor premiers, it was the defensive effort which most pleased coach Gerry “Chicka” Merritt.
“We’ve still got one game to go but I’m very proud of the girls and the way they stuck to it,” he said.
“Forbes are a really good side so it was really good to keep them to nil.
“Defence wins games. Especially an opposition like Forbes, if you can keep them to nil it’s always very pleasing.
“I don’t care how many points we score, it’s the defence which will win you the game, and ball control, so I’m really pleased.”
It means CYMS, which has only lost once this season, has sealed a grand final spot in back-to-back years.
I don’t care how many points we score, it’s the defence which will win you the game.- Gerry "Chicka" Merritt
That place in the decider was virtually sealed by half-time when CYMS led Forbes 16-0 courtesy of tries to Lamb-Lane, Shanae Daley, Zenetra Astill and Madelyne Towney.
The attack was crisp, and it was a performance worthy of a club who’s sides have made a habit of being near-flawless with the ball in hand for much of the past decade.
But there was no letting up after the break, with CYMS looking clinical and sharp in attack while the defence also held firm as Sally Dwyer led Forbes’ charge.
But the result was put beyond doubt when Darcy made a break and was far too quick for any of the Forbes defenders.
Dwyer and her charges hammered the line late on but there was no way through in what was a stellar defensive showing.
“Training has been up-tempo the past couple of weeks and they’ve really been focused a training and it showed out here today,” Merritt said.
“There was the tricky breeze as well so it’s a credit to them for the way they dug in.”
The only blow for CYMS came late on as Darcy was carried from the field with a foot injury.
But Merritt said it didn’t appear too worrying, her foot was trodden on while trying to avoid a defender, and he was confident she would be fine for the biggest day of the season in two weeks’ time.
“There’s a lot of work to be done between now and then so we’ll prepare well and hopefully the girls will turn up with the right attitude and we’ll see how we go in the big one,” Merritt said.
Forbes will return to Caltex Park for the preliminary final next weekend, playing a Parkes Spacecats side that defeated CYMS in a thrilling grand final last season.
The Spacecats finished fourth but have scored back-to-back wins in the finals, first downing the Macquarie Raidettes in extra time before a hugely impressive 24-18 win over Westside on Saturday.