ORANGE High has one focus going into the final Astley Cup tie with Dubbo Senior College Campus on Wednesday and Thursday - bring home the trophy.
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Dubbo will host the final leg of the 2014 event, needing a huge win over Orange to be any chance of claiming the trophy.
Should Orange win the final tie, they will claim the Astley Cup for the first time since 2006.
Orange High Astley Cup coordinator Tegan Dray said there is no shortage of motivation from her students.
“They’re very motivated about achieving this goal,” Dray said.
“This year is a culmination of the last three or four years. It’s a credit to the leaders of the past to be inspiring for the ones coming through.
“I’m sure the team will be equally motivated and supportive when they play Dubbo. On Thursday and Friday (against Bathurst) everyone was in one frame of mind.”
Orange will be favourites to take the trophy after a strong 485-315 win over Bathurst High last week.
Coincidentally, Bathurst downed Dubbo by the same margin the previous week.
Bathurst enjoyed wins over Dubbo in tennis (15-1), athletics (62-38), girls’ football (2-1) and hockey (18-0).
The following week Orange downed Bathurst in tennis (11-5), athletics (52-48), girls’ football (2-1) and hockey (8-1).
“I think we should do well in hockey, netball and tennis,” Dray said.
“Basketball might be close and I think athletics will be 50-50. Soccer (football), I think Dubbo has got a bit of an edge there. League, the boys are probably pretty confident after beating Bathurst last week.”
Netball is expected to be a tight match after Dubbo and Orange both beat Bathurst 49-38 and 58-20 respectively.
Orange and Dubbo both also celebrated wins over Bathurst in the basketball and league.
One thing Dray noted from Bathurst’s win over Dubbo was on the opening day, Bathurst won just one event, but won it so convincingly they still held a lead going into the second day of events.
So, if her team is losing they will be trying to keep the margin as small as possible and then record some big wins.
“I think we’re confident,” Dray said.
“We’ll gain a few people back who weren’t available against Bathurst. It is more difficult travelling, though. Hopefully we’ve got enough depth to cover anyone who might be away.
“Hopefully we can cause a few upsets.”
On Wednesday Dubbo and Orange will meet in tennis (9.30am), netball (12pm), basketball (1.30pm) and hockey (3pm).
On Thursday they go head-to-head in athletics (9.15am), boys' football (11.30am), girls' football (1pm) and rugby league (2.30pm)
