Ritchie targets another title after hat-trick while juniors are on the money

Given it's 'Try July' in the NRL and plenty of creative celebrations have been on show, the young Fishies thought about getting involved.

It wasn't until midway through the second half of Sunday's Tom Nelson Premiership derby clash with Macquarie that the result of those training talks come to fruition.

After muscling over, CYMS hooker Noah Sutcliffe bounced up and a money sign celebration was put in the face of his Macquarie foes.

"I saw someone do it in the NFL and I liked it so I thought it's Try July," Sutcliffe said.

"We were talking about it at training and trying to get someone to do it."

Sutcliffe's try was part of an impressive second-half effort which led the young Fishies to a 20-10 win over the Raiders.

As expected, there was plenty of emotion and feeling in the derby but it was the Raiders who handled things best as they dominated the ball and built a 10-0 lead by half-time.

Given the amount of defence they got through in the first half, CYMS were relatively content with the scoreline. When they then started to get more of the ball in the second half, momentum changed in a big way.

A try for Luke O'Neil got the Fishies on the board and then it was levelled up after a nice move to the right was finished by Jodan Porter.

Sutcliffe put his side up with a strong effort from close range and the comeback was complete when Joe Edwards scored late on.

"We stuck together and we were patient," Sutcliffe said.

"We didn't try to rush things. Our attack, in the second half we rolled through them after weathering the storm in the first 10 (minutes)."

The win has CYMS third on the ladder behind defending premiers Orange Hawks and Parkes heading into the final two rounds.

A bumper meeting with fourth-placed Orange CYMS is next before a clash with Nyngan.

"I think we're travelling well now," Sutcliffe said.

"We had a bit of a rough patch where we lost two in a row but I reckon we're back on track now and ready for finals.

"Anyone can get it, really, it's a good comp."

In reserve grade, a hat-trick for Harry Ritchie headlined a win for Dubbo CYMS.

The number three appeals to the CYMS winger, who is now targeting a third successive reserve grade premiership for the Fishies.

Ritchie starred at Apex Oval as CYMS scored an 18-16 derby win over Macquarie and maintained a share of top spot on the ladder.

Dubbo CYMS and Orange CYMS are both locked on 24 points ahead of next weekend's top-of-the-table battle.

"One hundred per cent. I know this team can go for the three-peat," Ritchie said.

After playing for Macquarie in 2021, Ritchie moved to CYMS alongside his cousin Troyden Dixon and it's a move which has worked out well. He's won back-to-back reserve grade titles and also earned a number of opportunities in the Peter McDonald Premiership.

"I'm happy to play wherever. I just want to play my best footy," Ritchie said.

"I like that (first grade). Hopefully I get the chance to stay there."

Sunday's performance and helping CYMS rally from an early deficit certainly helped his chances of a recall to the top grade.

After Brad Spencer opened the scoring for CYMS at Apex Oval, Clayton Daley scored a quick fire double to move the Raiders to a 10-6 lead.

Ritchie grabbed his first just before the break to lock things up, and he had a second soon after the restart.

Midway through the second half he completed his hat-trick by proving far too strong close to the line.

While the Raiders rallied late and scored through Kaden Williams, CYMS hung on to avenge a 25-24 derby defeat in round one.

"It's good to have a few tough games going into finals and see where we're at," Ritchie said.

"It's starting to come together really well now at the back end of the season ... it's good playing with the reggies boys and all the brothers."