Tallon Smith

Dubbo CYMS have moved to the top of the Peter McDonald Premiership after a 44-16 win over the Orange Hawks at Apex Oval on Sunday afternoon.

Lock Mitchell Cleary lead the scorers with a hat-trick in the eight tries to three win, the Fishies’ ninth of the season through 12 rounds.

CYMS President Nick Sykes said that despite the scoreline looking good “on paper”, the match was a much tougher affair on-field.

“I think it was six-all with a couple of minutes to go in the first half,” he said.

“We got a bit lucky and ended up getting two tries before half time, and then  we got one early in the second half. 

“It was really good to get another win.”

The win keeps the Fishies level with Orange CYMS on top of the ladder, a point above the Forbes Magpies and two clear of defending premiers Mudgee.

Sykes said that every win is important in the competition, which has been remarkably even at the top in 2025.

“It’s extremely close, the top half of the ladder especially,” he said.  

“Every week’s just tough, it’s a good, strong competition.”

Looking ahead to who they might play in the finals, Sykes said that any of the top eight teams pose a threat on their day.

“It’s going to be a cracking final series,” he said.

“Mudgee, they’ve got pretty well the same side as last year, so they’re going to be extremely tough. 

“Forbes has got a gun side this year, Orange CYMS are on the same amount of points as us.

Looking at other results from across round 12 of the Peter McDonald Premiership, Parkes took out the Grand Final rematch against Mudgee, Forbes were at their best in a 52-10 win over Bathurst Panthers, Wellington continued their strong form with a 46-10 victory over Bathurst St Pats, Dubbo Macquarie beat Lithgow 40-10, and Orange CYMS kept pace with their Dubbo namesake with a 52-10 defeat of Nyngan.