CYMS centre Ryan Drew led his team to a grand final victory on Saturday, scoring three tries in his side’s 38-22 win over the Nyngan Tigers.
Despite wet and windy conditions, Drew certainly saved his best game of the season to last proving lethal with the ball and consistent in defence.
The win capped off what has been a hugely successful season not only for CYMS reserves, but the club as a whole, with all three sides earning a spot in the 2008 grand final for the second year in a row.
The match started off with a bang, with both teams coming out fired up and enthusiastic.
Nyngan’s intensity was helped along by a roaring Tigers support base that trekked the 160km by bus to watch the match.
Both sides looked dangerous early, but it was Drew who put the first points on the board, scoring out wide in the first seven minutes of the match, only to return to the same corner for his second just five minutes later.
At 10-0 down, Nyngan managed to cross the line twice only to be denied the points on both occasions.
But Nyngan finally got a break with winger David Carriage crossing the line for his side 14 minutes out from half-time.
Team-mate Al Cochrane evened up scores in the 25th minute, crossing the line under the posts with winger Tim Smith adding the extras.
With only six minutes left on the clock CYMS captain Joel Raply crossed for his side to inch six points ahead 16-10.
A quick try to Nyngan captain Anthony Griffiths in the final two minutes of the first half locked the scores at 16-all.
Nyngan came out strong in the second, with Steven Johnson crossing the line in the 42nd minute to put his team in front for the first time in the match 16-22.
Just when it seemed CYMS were on the back foot they fought back, with Drew crossing for his third, followed by one each to captain-coach Shane Madden, five-eighth Josh Cross and centre Kane Ashby which sealed the deal for the Fishies.
Captain-coach of reserves Shane Madden said while the game was a bit messy, he was extremely proud of his team’s efforts.
“We made it pretty hard for ourselves with a lot of penalties and drops balls, but at the end of the day we came home stronger,” Madden said.
“The boys’ determination won it for us, we all came here with a job to do and we all dug deep at the end when it counted.”
After several years with the club, there was no better way for Madden to see out his playing days, saying he has hung up the boots for good.
For Nyngan the opportunity to play in a Group 11 grand final was satisfying enough, with captain-coach Anthony Griffiths praising his team’s efforts and commitment on making it so far in the competition.
“The boys played fantastic, we really held CYMS there for 67 minutes of the game, but then they were able to run in a few quick tries,” Griffiths said.
“I’m proud of the players, proud of the town and proud of our supporters.”
CYMS celebrated their success with a private club function at the Amaroo Hotel after the match.
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