'Unbelievable': Hutchins the hero in Raidettes' last-gasp derby triumph

That was how Millah Hutchins described the Macquarie Raidettes league tag win over Dubbo CYMS on Sunday, July 27.

Hutchins was the hero for the defending premiers as she scored a sensational individual effort inside the final minute to level the scores.

Ebony Furner was left with the relatively simple task of knocking over the conversion from almost right in front as the siren sounded to secure a stunning 16-14 derby win and spark Macquarie celebrations.

"It was unbelievable. I don't even know, it's just adrenaline at the moment," Hutchins said shortly after full-time.

Hutchins was the difference in one of the most gripping and fiercely competitive derbies in some time.

CYMS led 8-0 at halftime and then 14-4 midway through the second half, before teenage star Hutchins took centre stage.

With 10 minutes remaining, the crafty half went herself from close range to score, before the moment of the match arrived as the seconds ticked down.

With what was one of their last plays of the game, Hutchins received the ball close to the halfway line. She took on the line and with one twist of the hips, she beat the first tag attempts.

A right-footed step was then enough to beat CYMS fullback Mirrikie Shaw, who slipped in the wet conditions, and after Hutchins dived over, she was soon mobbed by ecstatic teammates.

"You've just got to back yourself sometimes. Just trust what you've got in yourself," she said, before speaking about the celebrations.

"It felt so good to see them around me. It just shows how much we're a family and the bond we've got together."

Macquarie's title defence hasn't been all smooth sailing.

While the team has only lost once in 2025, it had to deal with the mid-season departure of coach Roger Gordon, his daughter and star player, Kimmy, and others like Brieghell Thuell and Tiffany Stanley.

Kimmy Gordon made the switch to CYMS and was one of the best for a Fishies side which lost no admirers on Sunday.

With Gordon having been one of the chief creative forces in the Macquarie side before her departure, Hutchins has stepped up and developed into a vital performer for her team.

"It's definitely been a big step," she said.

"Losing a few players, you've got to step up and take on the bigger role.

"We're still feeling very good. We've stuck to training and got there early, put in the hard yards, and today it paid off."

Hutchins added winning such a high-quality and important match was the kind of boost the Raidettes needed.

A top-of-the-table battle and grand final rematch against Bathurst St Pat's will be a huge occasion next weekend, before a game against Parkes in the final round.

St Pat's and Macquarie are currently locked on 24 points at the top, but the Bathurst side is ahead on for and against.

Orange CYMS is three points back in third and Dubbo CYMS remains fourth, a further point back.

The mid-season arrivals of Gordon and Alahna Ryan have boosted CYMS' title aspirations, while speedy Shaw again impressed with a double in Sunday's loss.

For the Raidettes, fullback Makayla McKeown battled through a shoulder injury and scored an impressive solo try when kicking for herself, while Furner and Halle-Jo Sutcliffe also played well.