Peter McDonald Premiership: Group 10 and 11 Premiers decided

By Tallon Smith

The Mudgee Dragons and Dubbo CYMS have been awarded the Group 10 and 11 First Grade Premierships after finishing on top of their respective competition tables ahead of the combined Peter McDonald Premiership Finals Series set to begin next weekend.

Finishing with identical 11-3 records, the two sides each played ten matches within their Groups (playing the other 5 sides home and away), as well as four crossover games against select opponents from the six in the other Group, to reduce travel.

The season has been a particularly great one for Dubbo, who won the Group 11 title in all four grades.

Dubbo CYMS President Nick Sykes said that the season has “been great” for his club, as they prepare for a finals charge toward a maiden Peter McDonald Premiership title.

“It’s good, I’ve been involved for three years,” he said.

“This year we’ve had plenty of numbers and plenty of competition for spots.

“It’s a good culture at the club at the moment all based on hard work.”

The CYMS President said that while his side were the runaway leaders in Group 11 this season, the competition is strong from their rivals.

“We got beaten by [fourth-placed] Nyngan on the weekend,” Sykes said.

“They’re a very, very handy side, it just goes to show the evenness of the competition.”

Sykes said that despite their great record heading into finals, CYMS are well aware of the “threat” posed by the other finalists.

“All seven of the other teams are threats,” he said.

“You’ve got Wellington with Blake Ferguson, Mudgee with Jack Littlejohn and Clay Priest, Nyngan also have ex-NRL talent.

“I believe it’s the strongest competition in New South Wales outside Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong.”

On the topic of the merger between the two comps, Sykes said that he believes it has been a largely successful venture.

“In my opinion it’s been a huge success,” he said.

“It’s just a very even, strong competition.

“It allows bigger towns to play bigger towns.

“Because it’s in its infancy the merging of the two groups, we have two groups, then crossover rounds and then combined finals.

“While it’s not perfect, it’s a good solution.”

The top four teams from each competition qualify for the finals series kicking off this coming weekend, with Group 10’s representatives being Mudgee, Orange Hawks, and Bathurst Panthers and Bathurst St Pats, alongside Dubbo CYMS, Parkes, Wellington and Nyngan who will fly the flag for Group 11.

In Finals Week One next weekend, Mudgee face Parkes and Dubbo CYMS host Orange Hawks in the Qualifying Finals, whilst Wellington play Bathurst St Pats and Bathurst Panthers tackle Nyngan in the Elimination Finals.