FOOTWORK: Orange High’s Kristina Toender on the attack against Bathurst yesterday. Photo: JUDE KEOGH
ASTLEY CUP
BATHURST High School has come from behind to beat Orange High School in the first Astley Cup tie of 2012.
Down by 49 points heading into the boys soccer yesterday afternoon, Bathurst scored a 4-1 win to record a 80-20 split in Astley Cup points and secure first blood in the state’s longest running inter-school sports competition 405.5 to 394.5.
It’s a heartbreaking end to what shaped up as Orange’s best chance to win a tie since claiming the Cup in 2006.
Orange led 244.5 to 155.5 after day one thanks largely to a dominant 6-0 win in the girls hockey.
And yesterday morning Orange surged further in front courtesy of a comprehensive tennis win, taking a 13 sets to three victory and a 81-19 share of the points.
But Bathurst stormed home to wrap up wins in the boys (4-1) and girls (1-0) soccer and a big 52-10 win in the rugby league at Wade Park to clinch the 11-point triumph away from home.
Orange Astley Cup coordinator Tegan Dray was satisfied with her team’s effort.
“This is definitely one of the best efforts we’ve had for a few years,” Dray said.
“For it to come down to 11 points, the team has done well.
“We were 49 points in front before the boys soccer and that’s a small lead in this sort of competition. Bathurst scored some good goals and some lucky ones to win. We needed two goals to score a few more points and it didn’t work out.”
Dray reserved special mention for the school’s tennis team.
“They turned in a really impressive display,” she said.
Orange will complete its Astley Cup campaign in Dubbo against defending champions Dubbo Senior College next Thursday and Friday.
“We’d love to beat Dubbo. We’re still in it so we’re going over there looking for a win,” Dray said.
“We want to make it as tough as possible for Bathurst.”
