As usual a number of the school's teachers and former competitors were handed the microphone, running through some of their favourite stories from the competition's 96-year history and impressing on their troops just how special a victory would be.

There was one new facet of this year's pre-tournament, pump-up assembly though, with all the sports' captains all but pledging to bring the cup back to the Hornets' nest and explaining just how they plan to do that.

Of course, some of those brief chats were laden with platitudes although they, like basketball skipper Jalen Mansell's plan to "score more points than the other team", were delivered ironically with a light-hearted giggle.

Mulvey Cup debating captain Sharna Campbell's plan received the best response from the crowd though, with no less emphasis placed on that competition either.

In fact, Orange High School captain Cain Selwood made a point of saying how big a prize he considers that trophy.

"We've already got one trophy in the cabinet with the Malynley Shield," Selwood said, the Hornets prevailing in their annual competition against Gosford High not long ago.

"So we want all three. We want the Astley Cup and the Mulvey Cup to put alongside it. The Mulvey Cup is just as important."

But how will Orange High's debating, tennis, rugby league, hockey, boys' and girls' football, basketball, netball and athletics sides defeat Bathurst this week on the road, and then in their home tie against Dubbo the following week?

Bathurst won the opening tie of the 2019 Astley Cup over Dubbo last week and as a result head into this week's second leg in the box seat to claim a third straight title.

Should Orange High down the two-time defending champions the 2019 tournament, the 97^th, will come down to the final leg at the Hornets' nest the following week.

This week's second tie kicks off with tennis on Thursday morning before basketball, netball and athletics that day too. Friday's second day starts with hockey, before boys' and girls' football and the rugby league.