After countless years of dominating the competition, Orange High finally succumbed at Orange PCYC on Wednesday, losing out to Dubbo College Senior Campus in a thrilling Western region final.

On the back of its clinical finishing, Dubbo Senior Campus ran out 45-37 victors to qualify for the NSW CHS netball knockout - the final 16 in the state.

“We’re trying to figure out when the last time Orange High didn’t make it was,” Western region netball convener Amanda Hurford said.

“Whenever it was, it was a long time ago. But Orange High still played pretty well, they’re understandably upset. I got to watch most of the final and I think Dubbo were just the better side on the day.

“Dubbo’s coach Rebecca May was just so ecstatic after the game, it really was a massive milestone for them.”

Orange High took care of Lake Cargelligo Central School easily in the semi-final, running out 38-28 victors, while Dubbo Senior Campus defeated West Wyalong High School 48-29 to progress to the final.

At the completion of the tournament, Hurford and her fellow selectors named the Western CHS side to compete at the NSW CHS Championships at Berkeley in May.

Orange High’s Katie Eslick, Abby Tilburg and Cheynoah Merchant all made the cut, along with three of Dubbo’s stars, two Blayney High School guns and one player each from Kelso and Cowra High Schools.

“I think we’ve got a good mix of pretty talented girls, and a few from last year’s side,” Hurford said.

“With some training, and some getting to know each other I think we’ve got the side to be very competitive.”

WESTERN CHS: Katie Eslick, Abby Tilburg, Cheynoah Merchant (OHS), Andrea Roberts, Abbie Merritt, Chelsie Moerif (Dubbo SC), Stacey Stammers, Grace Mooney (Blayney HS), Ebony Hotham (Kelso HS), Madison Johnson (Cowra HS)