The Macquarie Raiders league tag coach was hopeful, rather than confident, his Macquarie Raiders girls would head to Spooner Oval and maybe, just maybe, live up to the potential he knows they boast.

At the end of the game, you couldn’t wipe the smile of Sutherland’s face.

The Raiders pulled off an upset, 18-4 victory over a Forbes side that just the week before knocked off minor premiers Parkes, at the same venue as Saturday’s elimination semi-final.

Forbes scored first after the golden boot of Jessica Ruge again produced the goods early for the Magpies, her cross-field kick gifting Emma Reid the opening four-pointer of the game.

But after that it was all Macquarie, the Raiders girls running in 18 unanswered points to storm to a memorable semi-finals win, their first over Forbes this season.

“We’ve been struggling all year just trying to iron a few things out and today it all came off for us,” Sutherland said.

“We were wary of Forbes, very much so, they’d beaten us twice this season.

“We were good today, and they might have had an off day. We might be a little lucky.”

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Macquarie’s tries came via Kyra Sutcliffe, Stephanie McAnally, Logan Maidens and a player Sutherland said has improved immensely throughout the year, Lilli-Rai Campbell.

“She was great, but all the girls were fantastic,” he added, Macquarie coming out on top in the penalty count 8-6 but also benefiting from Forbes stars Courtney Hodge and Elysse Girot-Serplett both spending time in the sin bin.

“We had a lot of ball. Discipline helped. When we had the ball we controlled it and applied pressure. It’s hard to come back from that.

“We’ve trained well, but all year haven’t played to our potential. Now they realise how good they can play.”