Such is the cut-throat nature of the NSW Primary School Sports Association Knockouts (NSWPSSA) one crack at a state championship is rare enough, but having the chance to win four in the same year is an opportunity that comes along once in a blue moon.
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In fact, considering blue moons tend to roll around once every three or so years, that's hardly a realistic comparison considering no one at Orange Public School (OPS) can remember the last time they had the chance to win a quartet of state titles.
Although the blue and gold rugby union side's second finish means a quadruple-crown has eluded OPS already, the school's netball, boys' touch football and cricket outfits still have the chance to turn an already-incredible 2019 into a simply remarkable year.
I didn't really expect to get this far, but now we have I think we can win [the state championship].
- OPS boys' touch captain Dan Ritchie
OPS' netball side has reached the final four in the state, the boys' touch team is in the final eight and the school's cricket outfit is preparing for the round of 16, and all three look realistic chances of hoisting their respective trophies too.
The boys' touch side takes on Old Bar Public in their quarter-final on Monday, with the semi-finals and state championship clash being played that day as well.
"Honestly, I didn't really expect to get this far, but now we have I think we can win [the state championship]," skipper and mid Dan Ritchie said at Friday morning's assembly, in which the entire school showed their support for the finals-bound sides.
"We played Bletchington in the Western [quarter-final] and they came second in the state last year, so I wasn't sure we'd get past them. They were winning 5-3 at half-time too but we came back and won (6-5), and that gave us a lot of confidence."
OPS went on to down OSSA Green (8-1) in the regional semi-final and then Mulyan Public School (9-5) in the decider, to qualify for the final eight.
The school's gun netball side downed Dubbo (26-19) in the Western decider to end a long state finals drought, with defensive star Amy Robinson explaining they then faced a tough task in Eleebana Public in the quarter-final.
"It was really tough, it was a really close game and there was only three goals difference in the end but it was exciting to get the win," she said, ahead of Tuesday's final four showdown.
"I think we've got a really good chance because that win gave us a lot of confidence, the win over Dubbo did too. We got a lot of confidence from our [earlier] wins too like the touch boys.
"We played Calare in our first game and they're a really strong side so that was really nerve-racking, we weren't sure we could win that one but we did which was great, we're all really excited now."
OPS' boys' cricket outfit is waiting with bated breath to find out their round of 16 opponent, either Gulgong or Glenbrook, after winning through with a convincing, eight-wicket victory over Dubbo Public.
The blue and golds rolled Dubbo for just 43 and chased it down for the loss of two wickets, after knocking off Parkes, Condobolin and OSSA Green in the earlier rounds.
Incredibly a handful of the netball and boys' touch sides will also shrug off a short turnaround to the NSWPSSA Athletics Championships at Sydney Olympic Park, on Wednesday and Thursday.
"We're very proud of all our sides, they've done a magnificent job so far," OPS principal Brad Tom said earlier in the week.
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Matt Findlay
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
