ORANGE CYMS piled on 22 points in 16 minutes against Bathurst Panthers yesterday to finish with a 38-10 victory at Wade Park in a result that resigns the two-time defending premiers to last.

With Cowra gaining two competition points for the bye, the loss sees the injury-plagued Panthers sit alone at the bottom of the Group 10 ladder while CYMS remain entrenched in the top three.

It looked like CYMS would have a game on their hands at half time as scores were locked 10-all but four tries in the last 16 minutes saw them run away with the two points.

CYMS captain-coach Pat Gibson played down the win, but admitted the result, which is the second victory for CYMS over Panthers this season, is a good one for the club.

“It’s two points but it was a big win it’s fair to say. I don’t get too carried away but it was a big win,” Gibson said.

Panthers scored first in the 11th minute when winger Justin Evans pounced on a mistake from CYMS’ fullback Tim Bassmann on his own line when he fumbled a grubber.

The lead was short-lived as CYMS halfback Scott Sullivan successfully took on Panthers’ defensive line from 10 metres out to level the scores.

CYMS then took the lead five minutes later when centre Matt Clarke ran a nice line to hit a gap from a long ball with Mick Nixon converting.

But Panthers were able to draw level moments later with Christian Luyks scoring a try down the blind side.

The score was 10-all at half time as both teams couldn’t manage to hold the ball in attacking positions.

But rampaging CYMS’ second-rower Luke Thompson barged over the line five minutes in the second stanza with three defenders hanging on.

The advantage was nearly doubled just two minutes later when Gibson made an inspiring 60-metre run out of dummy half only for CYMS to drop the ball on the next play after a quick play the ball.

CYMS were, however, able to extend their lead in the 64th minute when Gibson put Bassmann through a gap with a short ball for the fullback to score under the posts.

Prop Ben McKenna then rammed himself over the line soon after, before Thompson made one of his patented strong runs five minutes from full time to bag a double. Nixon then finished off some good work from Glenn Nunn right on full time to see CYMS record a 28-point win.

Panthers coach Dave Elvy was proud of his injury-plagued side but said second half capitulations were becoming too frequent.

ORANGE CYMS 38 (Luke Thompson 2, Scott Sullivan, Matt Clarke, Tim Bassmann, Ben McKenna, Mick Nixon tries Nixon 5 goals) defeated BATHURST PANTHERS 10 (Justin Evans, Christian Luyks tries Luyks goal)