CYMS will kick off the Mortimer era with a mouth-watering knockout match up with two-time defending Group 10 premiers Panthers next month.
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The opening clashes of the Bathurst Panthers Rugby League Knockout has been locked in as preparation for the bumper 2020 season for all eight clubs.
Defending Knockout champions Mudgee will play their opening match against St Pats, while the Bears and Workies will clash for the right to vie off for the final.
Both Orange sides are on the other side of the draw, with 2019 minor premiers Hawks set to clash with Cowra in their first preseason hit-out, while reigning premiers Panthers will play a CYMS side determined to rebound after missing finals last year.
The tournament has been locked in for March 13-14, and there are still nominations open for reserve sides and Mid West Cup teams to take part.
"The sooner I get nominations in the better, to give us a bit more time to sort out the draw," Bathurst Panthers president Dennis Comerford said.
"I have sent out information to the president of the [Mid West Cup] to distribute out to the clubs, but I haven't heard anything back from them yet.
"We do know that all first grade teams in Group 10 will be there. It's a compulsory competition for all first grade but it's only voluntary for reserve grade.
"At the moment, I've got three clubs for reserve grade and I'm just waiting on the others."
Games will kick-off around 5.30pm on the Friday afternoon, with the final expected to be played on Saturday afternoon, with all games played over a shorter time period.
In the premier league (first grade) competition, $3000 is on offer for the winner, while there's $1000 up for grabs for the runner-up.
In the first division (reserve grade) competition, $1000 will be awarded to the winner, while the runners-up will receive $500.
In previous years Group 10 had nine teams, but now that Oberon Tigers have been relegated to the Mid West Cup, only eight teams will contest the premier league knockout.
And because of the change in teams, the premier league knockout will not require a play-off match ahead of the quarter finals.
"It does make it easier to sort the draw out [with eight teams], but it's not really a big issue doing the draw," Comerford said.
Max Stainkamph
Max joined the CWD in September 2017, leaving the big smoke of Melbourne to come to Orange, where he stayed until 2020.
Max joined the CWD in September 2017, leaving the big smoke of Melbourne to come to Orange, where he stayed until 2020.
