Cover Photo Credit: Rodders Photos

By Tallon Smith

The Bathurst Panthers have moved to the top of the Peter McDonald Premiership ladder with a 20-14 win in the weekend’s top of the table clash against Group 10 rivals Orange CYMS at Wade Park.

After winning their opening match in the NRL curtain-raiser at Carrington Park against Lithgow Workies, the Panthers lost to their cross-town rivals St Pats in round 1 proper, before embarking on a three-game win streak that included two point wins over the last two competition premiers in Dubbo CYMS and Forbes.

Panthers First Grade Manager Danny Dwyer said that the win was a big one for the club, with the CYMS being undefeated heading into Sunday’s clash and setting the benchmark, in stark contrast to their wooden spoon campaign last season.

“CYMS had a pretty strong forward pack, [and] Daniel Mortimer [was] back from an injury the week before, so that added to their squad as well,” he said.

“I think the boys went out there, fairly optimistic that they would put in a pretty solid performance, but [they] played really well in the first half.

“We certainly put in a good performance in the first half on the back of pretty high completions, which the boys have been doing very well for the last two or three games, they’ve been just getting into the arm wrestle and then just letting the halves do their work and come up with the points.

“In the second half, where they didn’t complete quite as well and they gave CYMS the opportunity to get within six points, [they showed] good goal-line defence [and] kept turning CYMS away.”

As for the start to the season overall, Dwyer said that the side’s hard work on the training paddock has sowed the seeds for the impressive opening to their campaign.

“It’s certainly been a good start to the season for the boys,” he said.

“We had a couple of injuries in the early season games and that put a bit of a stretch on our depth, but I feel the boys have stepped up.

“[They’ve been] putting in some good efforts training and [are] backing that up on the playing field.

“To start the season, we [had] to play some pretty strong sides, but they put their form together and they’re working well as a team.”

As for their goals for the season, Dwyer said the club and squad has grown in belief after these opening few rounds, and remain focused on maintaining their performances into the business end of the season.

“[We’ve had] a good start to the season, a bit different to last year, from memory, Dubbo CYMS beat us 60-0, and then Parkes beat us fairly well in the second round game,” he said.

“So we started the year off with a lot better form, and as I said, on the back of injuries and also suspensions, we haven’t had our regular 13 starting boys there every week, so [the] other guys [have] stepped up and played some pretty good football.

“Even the boys that have stepped up from Reserves [are taking] that opportunity of being taken up with both hands.

“And [if] that all goes well, [we’ll] push into the semifinals later in the year.

“I think that we’re getting points earlier this season.”

The Panthers’ next task is a home clash with the Mudgee Dragons at Carrington Park this weekend, while the CYMS will tackle their cross-town rivals the Orange Hawks in the derby at Wade Park.

Other games around the grounds in Round 5 of the PMP will see Dubbo CYMS face Wellington, Nyngan host Parkes, Dubbo Macquarie travel to Forbes, and Lithgow Workies take on Bathurst St Pats.

All games kick off at 2:00pm on Sunday, with lower grades starting at 10:30am.