CYMS Yesterday

Before 1958, there was only one Dubbo District Grade team that fielded first grade, reserve grade and juniors in Group 11. Group 11 consisted of 7 first and reserve grade sides and 6 junior sides. These towns competing were Dubbo, Narromine, Wellington, Parkes, Forbes, Condobolin and Cumnock. Cumnock did not have a junior side. As well as a team in the Group 11 competition, Dubbo had a strong Saturday afternoon competition. Some of the team competing were Dubbo CYMS, Dubbo Abattoir, Dubbo Exchanges, Eumungerie, Coalbaggie, Trangie and Newtown. In those years, Dubbo CYMS were very strong in this competition, being 1957 Premiers.

Those early years were the stepping stone for CYMS entry into the 1st Division Group 11 competition. Father Bede Smith was the main instigator of Group 11 accepting Dubbo CYMS Rugby League into Group 11 1st Division in 1985. CYMS together with Eugowra and Peak Hill, extended the competition to 10 teams.

Dubbo CYMS District Rugby League wa born in the old club rooms at the De La Salle College in Fitzroy Street, where their first committee was formed: President – Paul Ford, Secretary – John Keech, Treasurer – Ron Dobson, Assistant Secretary – Brian Peisley, Vice Presidents – Bob Owens, Pat McColl and Phonse Musgrave. Injured Players Committee – Paul Ford, Ron Dobson, Alan Nilon, Joe Carroll and John Stroud. Father Bede Smith Ex-officio on all committees. Coaches for 1958 were Allan no Nilon assisted by Jack Harrison in first grade. Reserve: John Stroud and Juniors Phonse Musgrave. The Club Patrons for the first year were Rev. Father Michael Dunne, Doctor P. McCormach and Messrs H. Whitney, W. Carroll, L. Nugent, K. Logan, J. Morgan, J. Ryan, C. Mitchell, A. Douglas, J. Keady and R. Lennon. The selectors were the coaches plus Joe Carroll and Bob Owens.

In those days, there were boundaries and all players were required to play in the town they resided in. The boundary for Dubbo Rugby League (known as Dubbo Macquarie Rugby League for 1959) and the Dubbo CYMS Rugby League at the request of Group 11, was that all Dubbo CYMS players be Catholics. This came about from the origins of the Club CYMS standing for Catholic Young Men’s Society. This provision was dropped in later years with boundary law changes.

The CYMS Saturday afternoon Rugby League team and the newly formed Dubbo CYMS District Rugby League became one body in February 1958 and the former formed the nucleus of Dubbo CYMS early teams. CYMS colours were green with two white V’s. Prior to the start of our first season, our foundation member and Spiritual Director, Father Bede Smith, was transferred to Gilgandra after four years Dubbo.

The historic day when CYMS played their first competition game in Group 11 was Sunday the 20th April, 1958 against Narromine at Number1 Oval. The first Grade side was John Meredith, Brian Whiteley, Doug Stroud, Jack Harrison, Stuart Scott, Dennis Crowley, Doug Parrish, Kevin Boland, Alan Nilon, Peter Smith, Des O’Connor, Tom Arnold, and Brian Casey. The result was Narromine 29, CYMS 10. Try scorers for CYMS were B. Whiteley and D. O’Connor and K. Boland two goals. Scrums favoured CYMS 24-19, Penalties Narromine 15-7. The referee was Mr Mick Leary, Molong.

The Reserve Grade side on that day was Pat Finn, John Dewer, Elwin Porter, Max McMahon, Father Pat Creed, Anthony (Piccolo) Linnane, Don (Froggy) Frazer, Henry Web, Stan Brown, Terry Ryan, John Stroud, Mac Bentick and Bill Kitson. In an upset, CYMS defeated Narromine 13-0. Scorers E. Porter 2 tries and Father P. Creed one, P. Finn 2 goals. A junior game was played, but the team and result were unavailable.

In that year Ron Dobson had the distinction of not only being the Club’s first Treasurer, but also played First and Reserve grade with CYMS. CYMS had the honour of having two players selected for Group 11 in that first year. They were Jack Harrison and Kevin Boland. Kevin also represented Combined Western Division-Riverina.

Dubbo CYMS first Grade side to play against Dubbo (now Macquarie) was Ray Swanson, Brian Whiteley, John Meredith, Jack Harrison, Max McMahon, Doug Stroud, Tom Arnold, and Brian Casey. CYMS were offered 20 points start and the result was Dubbo (Macquarie) 15, CYMS 7, three tries to one. Scrums Dubbo 24, CYMS 23, Penalties favoured CYMS 15- 9. The referee was Mr. Mick Leary. In an upset in Reserve Grade, CYMS defeated Dubbo 10-2. Dubbo won the Juni9ors 19-3. CYMS received their first competition points in First Grade with a 9 all draw with Eugowra. At this stage of the season, representation forward Kevin Boland was transferred in his job with R.A.A.F.

CYMS first ever First Grade win in 1958 was against Peak Hill winning 19-0. The win was celebrated like a Grand Final victory, with many suffering from more than the effects of the football on Monday morning.

In that first year, Dubbo CYMS did not manage to win a great number of First Grade games, however, the reserve grade side made the final four, being defeated by Parkes in the semi final 15-5. Forbes won the First Grad Grand Final defeating Cumnock 16-3, after defeating Dubbo 12-11 in the final.

It has now been over 50 years since that historic first year for Dubbo CYMS, and during this time, this wonderful Club has been recognised as one of the leading Clubs in Country Rugby League, producing many outstanding players, coaches and officials both on and off the field, with numerous premierships in all grades.

Written by Phonse Musgrave

To see past executives and coaches, download the below PDF's

• CYMS Executives 

• CYMS Coaches 

• Premiership Group 11