But that all changed on Sunday at Orange's Riawena Oval when Bathurst cruised to an impressive nine-wicket victory to claim victory in the Mitchell Cricket Council Challenge Shield final.

Bathurst were without four key players − Declan Fawkner (left town), Fletcher Norris (injured), Harrison Field (absent) and captain Liam Cooke (absent) − heading into their crunch match, against a red-hot Orange side who hadn't lost a game all summer.

Bryant described the win as the best victory in his five years of coaching. 

"The boys, they just turned up," he said.

"They were amazing, to be honest. We bowled them out for 64 and bowled about 11 wides still. The blokes were just on song with the bowling."

Orange's first three batsman scored a combined total of one, openers Blake Weymouth and Brad O'Brien out for one and a duck respectively, with number three Nick Warburton gone for a duck as well.

Harry Grant tried to inspire his team, coming in at number four and hitting 12 with the willow. 

Orange's number seven Nick Murphy topped scored for his team with 21 runs, but it wasn't enough, Orange all out for just 64 runs off 24 overs.

Tom Lynch was the pick of the bowlers with 5-15 off seven overs. 

"I feel like Tom Lynch bowled about seven extras and got hit for a six. They just couldn't handle him and it was great to watch," Bryant said.

Bathurst only lost the one wicket on their way to victory, opening batsmen Nash Hutchings, who was called into the team just last Thursday, and Hamish Siegert hitting 45 not out and four respectively.

Ethan Muller finished eight not out, Bathurst catching Orange's total with a score of 1-66 off just 14 overs. 

Bryant said the Bathurst's performance in dismissing Orange's top order proved vital to his side's success. 

"Orange are all the top age players but once we knocked the top order over, the boys grew in confidence and went for the kill. They never took their foot off the throttle," he said. 

Bathurst had previously lost to Orange twice throughout the 2018-19 season, beaten by eight wickets and by two wickets, both in October, 2018.