RUGBY LEAGUE
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FOLLOWING a shock loss to Oberon in round one, Orange CYMS will boast their full strength side - including an entirely fresh bench - in Sunday’s Group 10 premier league road trip to take on the Cowra Magpies, also the first time they’ll meet former club stalwart Tim Bassmann on the field.
That full strength side includes both Tim and Rob Mortimer, who will run off the bench having recovered from knee ailments.
“We’re as strong as we get (team wise), we lose nothing with the bench we’ve named when they happen to come on so we can give guys due rest and hopefully maintain performance,” player-coach Mick Sullivan said.
“I think we let the game slip a bit in round one so I’m wary of that happening again. Both Mortimers have been training well so it’s good to have those guys back.”
CYMS come into the game on the back of two weeks off after to a bye in round two and another week off in round three thanks to Lithgow Workies’ player shortage.
Cowra, on the other hand, have gone winless through the first three rounds. Sullivan said their record is sure to have the black and whites supremely motivated, while Bassmann will no doubt be revved-up for the clash too.
He left CYMS following last year’s premiership to link with cousin and now Cowra captain-coach Rory Brien.
“Last week is last week, [Lithgow] can focus on their end of it now and we’ll focus on this weekend,” Sullivan said.
“Teams rarely keep going on those losing streaks I found so we certainly are wary of Cowra.
“They’re a good side and obviously it’s Basso’s first time playing against CYMS so I imagine he’ll be pumped for the game and looking to get a win.
“We started both halves really well against Oberon but then just fell off a bit in the later stages.
“So hopefully we can start well again and maintain it. We’ve worked hard on our fitness during those two weeks off without getting any match fitness so I think we’ll be okay there.
“I’m actually really looking forward to seeing the new combinations come together a bit more with guys like James Wynne, Brock McGarity and [Ben McAlpine] at fullback, hopefully we can string a few more strong set piece plays together in this one.”
CYMS and Cowra kick off at Sid Kallas Oval at 2.30pm.
ORANGE CYMS: 1 Ben McAlpine, 2 Semisi Katoa, 3 Jerome Harrison, 4 Brock McGarity, 5 Dylan Wood, 6 James Wynne, 7 Mick Sullivan, 8 Simon Osborne, 9 Sam Hill, 10 Mitch Davis, 11 Brenden Cousins, 12 Larsen Marabe, 13, Kyran Bubb; Bench: 14 Tim Mortimer, 15 Rob Mortimer, 16 Cam Jones, 17 Ryan Griffin