Derby loss hurts finals hopes, but improvement and 'good little vibe' keeps Raiders upbeat

Both CYMS and Macquarie struggled to find top gear in a match played in miserable conditions, but the Fishies' class shone through in a 20-12 victory.

Searle was again instrumental for the competition frontrunners.

His kicking game was impressive throughout, and in the final 15 minutes, he pinned Macquarie in their half for long periods and earned his side repeat sets.

"There was a period I thought we got right back into the game," Raiders coach Matt Lane said post-game, his side having got within six of CYMS at one point in the second half.

"The momentum swung, but the kicking game of Bayden Searle turned us around and took a bit of wind out of us."

The eight-point win, combined with Orange CYMS' loss to Bathurst St Pat's on Sunday, means the Fishies are now a win clear at the top of the ladder and in control of the minor premiership race with just two rounds remaining.

Dubbo CYMS coach Shawn Townsend admitted there wasn't a huge amount his side would take from the derby, given the stop-start nature of the contest, but he was pleased to see his halfback deliver again.

"That's what you get when you get 'Baydo' as a player, he's played some higher-level stuff, and even Bono's (Alex Bonham's) kicking game early was pretty good, but we couldn't build enough pressure, and we'd drop the ball," Townsend said.

Townsend praised the impact his halfback has had on the team since returning home from a number of years and Newcastle, and even joked Searle was the real mastermind behind CYMS' success this season.

"He's a good bloke to have around. He's smart, competitive, and he does most of the talking," the coach said.

"Most of it revolves around him, even what I do. I ask him and he says what he wants to do, so he may as well take the coaching job and I'm just the figurehead."

The cold and wet conditions impacted the ball-handling of both sides, but there was plenty of entertainment throughout the 80 minutes on Sunday.

The opening 25 minutes were everything you want in a derby. It was physical, competitive, and there were plenty of verbal barbs thrown by both sides.

The Raiders opted to take the points after a string of errors at one point in the first half and led 4-0 after 30 minutes thanks to two Jason Boney penalties.

When CYMS got a penalty late in the half, they opted to keep the ball in hand, and the decision paid off as Mitch Cleary continued his fine try-scoring form by diving over.

Jeremy Thurston's goal put CYMS in front at the break, and the lead grew inside 10 minutes of the restart as a bouncing Bonham grubber evaded the Raiders and was planted down by Jyie Chapman.

Mason Williams sliced through to cut the score to 14-8, but that was as close as the Raiders got.

A lovely run and ball back on the inside from Searle put Thurston over, and while Macquarie crossed again through Harry Kempston, the Fishies did what was needed late on to move clear at the top.

"I think if we win one of our last two games, we'll finish top two and that's what we wanted," Townsend said.

"Then we just want to be healthy."

While CYMS are eyeing a minor premiership, making the eight remains the target for Macquarie.

It's been a tumultuous few weeks for the club following the departure of Justin Carney, but there have been positive signs since his exit.

A 40-10 win at Lithgow got Macquarie back into the eight, and the type of competitive spirit and desire which had often been lacking this season was on show during Sunday's loss.

The loss, however, resulted in the Raiders slipping to ninth, below a Parkes side they will meet in the final round.

"They're working hard and there's a good little vibe there," Lane said.

"We're onto next week and St Pat's now, but if we play like that, I'll be confident we'll get the two points."