With a second victory over Bathurst in as many weeks in this's weekend fourth round, the black and golds can officially cement their status as title favourites, a tag they've not held for some time.

While Orange won the title in 2017-18 they were never completely established as favourites after finishing deadlocked on top with Bathurst.

Orange's quotient proved the deciding factor after a grand final draw, even though Bathurst had won the two sides' other encounter that summer.

In fact prior to last weekend's 129-run thumping at Bathurst's Brooke Moore Oval, Orange hadn't beaten their traditional rivals since February 21 of 2016, in that summer's grand final.

The victory keeps Orange undefeated this summer and on top of the standings, they're seven points clear of Bathurst, and was born from Ollie Brincat continuing his rich vein of recent form.

Scoring his very first ton, Brincat finished with an even 100 from 119 balls as Orange bashed out 8-184 before skittling Bathurst for just 55 in reply, a fortnight after notching his maiden half century.

Two weeks earlier he'd finished unbeaten on 55 as Orange successfully chased the Blue Mountains' 97 with ease, and there was a sense he would've had gone to triple figures that day had the target allowed it.

His ton was all-but chanceless too, but for a couple of early LBW scares which he survived.

"You take the century out and it's a different ball game, but in saying that he batted really well," Bathurst coach Matt Stephen said.

"He ran well between the wickets and hit 99 per cent of his balls along the ground. I still thought we bowled quite well and we had them at 3-25.

"There were a couple of partners who dug in for Orange and that allowed Ollie to continue batting the way he was.

"We conceded too many extras and maybe let ourselves down in the field but with the bat we just weren't respecting our wicket enough."

"It was just the little things which let us down. These kids are young and hopefully they can learn from that.

"We turn around and play Orange against this Sunday and I think it's good that we can get back up there and take on the better players.

"When you play these better teams you learn and get better yourself."

Orange also took the field in their final game of this summer's Western Zone Under-16 Premier League on Sunday, being comfortably defeated by Dubbo at Wade Park.

Dropped chances proved costly for Orange as the visitors piled on 9-292, led by Preston Beauchamp (61) and skipper Tom Coady (53), before the hosts managed 182 in reply.

Tom Madigan did everything he could to spark the chase but his strong knock of 78 proved to no avail as he was given little support.

With Orange's Under-12 season continuing at Jack Brabham 4 this week, the Under-14 summer also resumes after a three-week break, Orange host Bathurst in that game as well, at Country Club Oval.