Like fish out of water, CYMS had few answers to the Roosters’ early point-a-minute attack which yielded an eventual total of eight tries and established a massive 34-nil half-time lead.

The opening period however was marred and delayed by an apparent serious injury to Andrew Lyons but fortunately, after receiving ambulance treatment, the replacement halfback returned to witness his team-mates complete their demolition of the competition favourites.

Cobar’s tough forward pack dominated from the kick-off with frontrowers Steve Lyons and Adam Betts leading the charge with vigorous support from their backrowers in Chris Barnett, Matt McBride and playmaking lock Peter Ford.

The season’s leading tryscorer Steve Lyons added another two barnstormers to bring his season’s tally to 11 while Ford and No.9 Bourke Rooster Scott Willoughby also recorded doubles.

Despite fielding an understrength backline, it was an outstanding and courageous team effort by Cobar who led 18-nil after just nine minutes and had CYMS in early damage control.

After congratulating his players, co-captain Peter Ford described fitness and team work as the key to victory.

“Our fitness beat CYMS,” Ford said. “We got a roll-on and they just couldn’t match us.

“We also kept the game plan simple and controlled the ball well.”

Referee Willy Barnes had little need of the whistle during the first half which saw the rampaging Roosters run in six unanswered tries as the floodgates opened on the Fishies.

A weaving run by Scott Willoughby during the second minute of play sparked the Rooster’s onslaught and when Steve Lyons and wide running centre Shane Martin both crossed, Cobar were suddenly 18 points clear and headed for the competition lead.

Hooker Willoughby’s second touchdown extended the margin to 22 points before another Bourke Rooster, winger Jarrod Willoughby raced 40 metres to score in the corner.

Another try to Steve Lyons followed a short side raid by the halves Jay Egan and Chris Gilbert with support from winger Paul Gauci .

A strong burst by import Epa Navale and a lucky bounce of the ball soon after the start of the second half enabled CYMS to post their first points through hooker Luke Jenkins but two quick replies by the Roosters’ hardworking lock Peter Ford eliminated any chance of a sustained CYMS revival.

A late touchdown out wide to rookie backrower Ryan Marlin and Jenkin’s conversion from the sideline, however gave CYMS some consolation for the disappointing return trip to Dubbo.

Cobar Bowling and Golf Club Roosters 44 (Steve Lyons 2, Peter Ford 2, Scott Willoughby 2, Shane Martin, Jarrod Willoughby tries; Ford 6 goals) defeated Dubbo CYMS 12 (Luke Jenkins, Ryan Marlin tries; Jenkins 2 goals).

Other Group 11 First Grade results:

Macquarie 76 crushed Wellington 18; Parkes 42 outpointed Nyngan 18 and Narromine 26 recorded a narrow win over Forbes 20.

Cobar’s next match is this Sunday’s Round four local derby clash with the Nyngan Tigers at Larkin Oval - the afternoon’s entertainment will also feature an Over 40s match between the Old Tigers and Cobar’s Old Roosters.

Sunday’s Under 18’s game kicks off at the earlier time of 11.30am.

RESERVE GRADE

Cobar’s reserve graders returned to the winners’ list and set the stage for a major upset during the afternoon by outpointing CYMS 34-24.

A dominant performance by experienced frontrowers Troy Hayman and Ian Prendergast and some enterprising attack by five-eighth Alistair Travis and centres Sione Hallcroft and Wayne Betcke, saw the Roosters take a handy 18-6 lead into half-time.

The second period was a see-sawing affair with CYMS reducing the margin to just six points before lively young fullback Bobby Schofield outpaced several defenders in a 50 metre sprint down the open flank.

Another try to CYMS was countered by Bourke Rooster Hayman who stormed over near the uprights to seal victory for the home side.

Cobar Roosters 34 (Alistair Travis 2, Marc Cummins, Bobby Schofield, Sione Hallcroft, Wayne Betcke, Troy Hayman tries; Betcke 3 goals) defeated Dubbo CYMS 24.

UNDER 18s

In contrast to their previous narrow loss at Narromine, Cobar’s Bantam Roosters were outclassed and outpointed 48-12 by a powerful CYMS combination.

The Bantams had few answers to their opponents’ strong running, clever offloads and enterprising second and even third phase play and by half-time were trailing 32-6.

Consolation points for Cobar were registered by multi-talented (league and union) Jayden Martin and five-eighth Ben McBride with John-Paul Tweedale adding two conversions.

Centres Tweedale and Josh Kemp together with forwards Troy Hayman (Jnr), Orry Wyer, Frank Webb, Robb Bennett, Brady Wyer and Patrick Harris worked tirelessly to lift the side but CYMS momentum, support play and pace was superior on the day.