Orange High School's dream of claiming their first Astley Cup title since 2016 is over.
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Bathurst High claimed a second-leg victory over the Hornets on Friday afternoon to back up their win over Dubbo College in the 2019 cup's opening tie a week prior, securing their third consecutive Astley Cup title.
The win completes Bathurst's first three-peat in more than half a century - the last coming in the early 1960s - and also renders next week's third and final tie of the 97th edition of the inter-school tournament little more than an exercise in school pride for Orange and Dubbo.
The kids just wanted it more than Orange and credit to [them] for fighting, but today was our day.
- Bathurst High principal Ken Barwick
Bathurst carried a 62-point overnight lead into Friday against the Hornets and that margin didn't change after a stunning, against-the-odds draw in that morning's hockey fixture, which strengthened the defending champions' position.
Orange did give themselves a big sniff with a 1-nil upset in the boys' football directly after, slashing the overall margin to just 28 points at 314-286, but the hosts rammed home their advantage in the days final two events.
First they won the girls' football 3-nil to push out to an 88-point overall lead and leave Orange needing an absolute miracle to even come close to victory, in fact the Hornets would've had to win the rugby league fixture 90-6 just to tie the leg.
The hosts rolled to a 50-12 victory at Carrington Park in the end, securing the leg and the cup with a 475-325 overall win.
"It's just an amazing feeling," Bathurst principal Ken Barwick said.
"The boys really deserved that result in the rugby league. They played out of their skin and all of our stars stood up, meaning some of our young blokes had the confidence to step up.
"The kids just wanted it more than Orange and credit to Orange for fighting, but today was our day.
"I hope they celebrate well because they really deserve it."
Although the cup is gone, all's not lost for Orange High or for Dubbo College for that matter.
Both schools hammer home the important of pride leading into the competition and that's what will be on the line as Dubbo land at the Hornets' nest next Wednesday and Thursday.
Orange High principal Chad Bliss said as much, before adding how proud he was of his troops' fight.
"I think we showed tremendous sportsmanship and school pride," he said.
"We've lost the cup for the third year in a row but the kids are still really proudly supporting their team.
"For us, that's what it's all about. It's about the values of Orange High and supporting to the end and never giving up.
"We've got another tie next week at home against Dubbo and we'll look to re-group and see how we go next year."
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