Western Rams five-eighth Mitch Burke pointed to a moment of magic from his Dubbo CYMS counterpart as the key moment in Saturday's Presidents Cup clash.
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Burke was the Rams' best in the first 40 and his try set-up a 10-4 half-time lead.
But when CYMS five-eighth Alex Bonham chipped for himself on halfway, chased and regathered, then raced away to score 12 minutes into the second stanza it kicked off a dominant finish to the game for the men in green and white.
The Fishies ran out 28-10 winners, leaving the Rams at the foot of the ladder, and Burke said his side was never able to get on the front foot during that period.
It was a familiar feeling for the Rams after producing tough footy in previous losses to the Hills Bulls and Wests Devils but they only had one try to show for those gutsy efforts heading to Apex Oval.
"Our defence has been there," Burke said.
"Especially last week [against Wests] and even against Hills we only let in a couple at the end and that was a tight game where the score didn't show what it was at the end.
"They [CYMS] just blew us away at the end and there was a couple freaky little things.
"Bonno changed the game and we couldn't get back after that and we were more worried about defending than getting more points to get the win."
Ideally the Rams would have more regular training sessions ahead of next weekend's meeting with Thirroul at Orange's Wade Park, but given the size of the region coach Cameron Greenhalgh is pulling players from Burke knows that isn't possible.
And while the Illawarra-based Thirroul shapes as another huge test and the Rams' finals hopes are getting slimmer, the challenge is still one the side is enjoying.
"It's a different type of footy and a lot harder," Burke said.
"A lot of blokes have come down from NRL sides so it's been tough footy but it's been good.
"But it's also tough. We're only training once a week and have got blokes coming from Condo, Bathurst, and Orange but it's the best we can do."
While Burke was strong on Saturday, hooker Jack Beasley and lock Jake Betts were also among the Rams' best.
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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.
