An inability to take chances when they presented themselves cost Dubbo CYMS during its Presidents Cup battle with Maitland on Saturday.
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The Fishies had plenty of opportunities, most notably when they forced three successive dropouts late in the first half, but the Pickers held them out and controlled proceedings late on in a convincing 28-0 victory.
The result means CYMS are winless after the first two rounds of the newly-formed competition following a 32-16 loss to North Sydney a week prior.
At a wet and slippery Maitland Sportsground on Saturday both sides struggled with ball control and it showed as no points were scored in the first 20 minutes.
CYMS got through plenty of impressive defence early but they were breached shortly after the 20 minute mark when a shift to the left resulted in the first try of the day.
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From there the men in green and white started getting some ball and began to dominate the contest.
The left edge combination of halfback Bayden Searle and second-rower Billy Sing created plenty for CYMS but the Pickers' defence had answers time and time again.
Searle, halves partner Alex Bonham, and hooker Isaac Thompson were all probing but when the three dropouts came to nothing the Pickers took their one chance and scored right on half-time to through a darting Alex Langbridge to have all the momentum.
The second half began with Wade Kavanagh being put on report for a high shot and the Pickers crossed again from the ensuing penalty and threatened to run away with the game.
Searle, who appeared to be battling with a leg knock, didn't feature in the second half and his absence was notable as the Fishies lacked direction at times while the visitors also lost outside back Zac Ryan to a head knock early in the second half.
The forced changes resulted in the Fishies' play becoming extremely scrappy and the Pickers led by former NRL player Brock Lamb didn't need any more invitation as they took complete control late on.
Halfback Lamb showed some lovely touches at time but the intense defence of the Pickers that was constantly up in the Fishies' face and resulted in some huge hits which was the biggest factor in the win.
Despite the loss there was a number of strong individual performances from the Fishies.
Sing, Ben Marlin and Jack Quinn got through plenty of work up front while Searle was a standout in the first half.
Kavanagh was his lively self while Thompson looked dangerous when he ran from dummyhalf but, like the rest of his teammates, couldn't break through the hosts' defence.
CYMS will play host to the Western Rams in a local derby next weekend.
The Rams are also without a win after a 12-0 defeat to the Western Suburbs Devils in Wollongong on Saturday.
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Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
