ASTLEY Cup brings out the best in players - just ask Mitchell Moore.
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The year 12 student kicked the winning conversion for Orange High School (OHS) in their rugby league win over Bathurst High last week.
The scores were locked at 28-all with 40 seconds left on the clock after Hady’n Baragry scored the match-levelling try.
However, he injured himself in the process and the team’s goalkicker was sidelined.
So the team called on reserve kicker, soccer player Moore.
“I was pretty nervous. I will say my legs were shaking,” Moore smiled.
The Ice Man kept his cool and slotted the winning conversion as the Orange High supporters broke into rapturous applause.
Moore said he was willing to take a pressure kick again if necessary ... but he’d rather not.
He may have the chance when Orange High hosts Dubbo College in the cup’s second leg today and tomorrow.
Bathurst won the opening leg 434-366, however an Orange win against Dubbo would keep the defending champions in the hunt for the cup.
“That’s what we’ve been saying to the kids,” OHS Astley Cup co-ordinator Tegan Dray said.
“It’s some sort of motivation to put in a good performance. If we can get a good win then who knows what could happen next week [when Dubbo hosts Bathurst]?”
Wet weather has featured in the days leading up to the Orange leg, but Dray said the students weren’t concerned.
“We think of this weather as our home ground advantage,” she laughed.
The students will clash in tennis, girls’ netball, boys’ basketball and girls’ soccer today.
Tomorrow they will be tested in rugby league, hockey, athletics and boys’ soccer.
michelle.cook@fairfaxmedia.com.au