Kurri Kurri a perfect entrée to Fishies' season
By Nick Guthrie.
Ben Marlin was one of the CYMS players to impress in the high profile pre-season clash with Kurri Kurri. Photo: JOSH HEARD
DUBBO CYMS’ first match of 2016 wasn’t the perfect result but coach Tim Ryan said he couldn’t have been more happy following the pre-season trial against the Kurri Kurri Bulldogs.
The talented Bulldogs side produced a late comeback to steal an 18-16 victory from the Fishies but Ryan was still pleased by what he saw from his side.
Ryan and CYMS are aiming for their third consecutive Group 11 title in 2016 and the coach stated the clash at Newcastle was the perfect way to begin the year.
“They were great and really keen and showed some positive signs,” he said of his players.
“I couldn’t be more happy for this time of year, it’s pretty early for us so it was good and everyone enjoyed it.
“Playing away near the coast isn’t something we get to do week-to-week in Group 11.”
The match was the feature game of the pre-season gala day.
Action on the field began from 8.30am with the St John’s juniors and play continued all day.
The CYMS Ladies League Tag side even got their first competitive match under the belt before their debut Group 11 campaign.
But the highlight was the first grade match where CYMS took on a Bulldogs side brimming with big name players, including former Manly Sea Eagles Terrence Seu Seu.
“It was a good hit out against some quality opposition and everyone played well,” Ryan said.
“A couple of the new blokes played well and the young fellas got a run too.”
While pleased with all his players, Ryan singled out Alex Bonham, Ben Marlin and Jordan Reynolds.
Bonham impressed in the halves as he looks to make one of the key positions his own following the departure of Tony Pellow while Jordan Reynolds, regularly playing in the second row, played on the wing due to the Fishies not having their full squad available.
Big name signing and former Cronulla Shark Isaac Gordon missed the match as he continues his comeback from a number of niggling injuries while winger John grey is another who remains on the comeback path.
Another big positive for Ryan and CYMS was the fact no player suffered an injury on the day, despite the physical clashes being played in temperatures around 35 degrees.
The coach stated he was somewhat disappointed his side couldn’t hold on to the win when leading 16-6 with 15 minutes to go but described the Bulldogs as “a class above”.
Ryan added the focus now quickly turns to the second edition of the Group 11 Nines this weekend before pre-season really ramps up in the lead-up to his side’s first match of the season against Macquarie on April 17.