Orange CYMS have suffered a critical 12-8 loss to Bathurst St Pat’s in what shapes as a difficult run home for the side’s goal of a top-four place ahead of rugby league’s Peter McDonald Premiership first grade semi-finals.

They now have a challenging but achievable task to reach that aim after the upset four-point loss to the desperate Bathurst side at a freezing Wade Park last Sunday (July 28).

It is points difference that keeps Orange CYMS (18 competitions, plus 66 points differential) ahead of fifth-placed Bathurst Panthers (18, zero points differential).

Orange CYMS play Dubbo CYMS (second, 22) and Panthers in the final two matches, with the final round clash against the other Bathurst side now crucial regarding a possible top four spot.

In the other grades at Wade Park last Sunday (July 28), Orange CYMS won blues tag 14-4, under-18s 26-16 and reserve grade 58-10 against St Pat’s in a solid day for the club.

Reserve grade (24 points, +224) is on top of the ladder on points differential, under-18s (21) are in fourth place and blues tag (24) are third.

Meanwhile, Orange Hawks competed well in its 28-6 first-grade loss to Mudgee at home last Saturday (July 27), considering Hawks are at the bottom of the table and the Dragons are on top.

Hawks finish their first-grade season with an away match against Parkes on August 4 before hosting Bathurst St Pat’s on August 10.

Mudgee reserve grade won 28-12 while Hawks had a slashing 72-4 win in under-18s and also won a blues tag thriller 18-16.

Hawks are in seventh place (13 competition points) in reserve grade, first in under-18s (25) and seventh (13) in blues tag.

In Woodbridge Cup rugby league action, Orange United finished its first-grade season with a great

30-26 away win against top-four side Trundle at Trundle last Sunday (

July 28).

It was only Trundle’s third loss of the season which displays how talented the United side is.

United’s league tag side also had a 16-14 win against the Boomers in a good day for the Orange club. They have qualified for the play-offs, along with United’s youth league side.