The Orange State League (1) side will take on the Baulkham Hills Waratah Cup Division One team in an exhibition match at the Orange PCYC.

For Orange, it is a chance for the side to be truly tested after winning 16 consecutive Division One Central West State League titles.

For the Sydney girls, it’s a chance to have a game before their season kicks off next month.

Orange captain, and the main organiser for today’s event, Mardi Aplin, said it might be an exhibition game, but it was important for the players.

“All the (Orange) girls are excited but nervous. They’re more nervous because we haven’t touched a ball since last year’s grand final,” Aplin said.

“On paper, (Baulkham Hills) should annihilate us, but we still have a lot of ex-NSW players in the Orange team. We’ve got the home-ground advantage. Plus if we get a good turn out, the more people that come and get behind Orange, you never know.”

While the Orange players are expecting a tough day at the office, Aplin believes they can hold their own against a talented Baulkham Hills line up, which includes three Australian Institute of Sport scholarship holders.

“We’ve been together for a while so we know how each other plays. They played together last year but they’ve got three new girls in their side,” Aplin explained.

“We don’t underestimate them. I still think we’ll give them a good go.”

Aplin, who is good friends with Baulkham Hills player Nardia Macdonald, said the Sydney players are just as wary of the country girls.

“I’ve spoken to Nards during the week and they don’t take Orange lightly,” Aplin said.

“They spoke about country people having a lot of heart and playing old-school, simple netball.

“It’s like City versus Country.”

It will be a busy day for the Baulkham Hills players in Orange as they will run closed coaching clinics at the Orange PCYC during the day.

The rest of the day will be used to raise money for HeartKids and for a $2 entry fee, the public can watch the Baulkham Hills training session from 3.30pm followed by the match.

Members of the Justice Crew will provide pre-match entertainment and the DeJa Ladies will show off their moves at half-time.

ORANGE: Mardi Aplin, Sinead Bradley, Kellie Watson, Petrina Allen, Tegan Dray, Amanda Rouse, Lauren Williams, Sheryll Selwood, Kate Pratt.