Orange kicked off its HART Regional League West Central West title defence with an undefeated showing at PCYC on Sunday, winning five-from-five matches in style.
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Thunder have enjoyed two decades of dominance in this format, a trend that doesn't appear to be slowing down any time soon when you look at the talent on-show throughout the opening rounds.
The home side opened their accounts with a first-up win over Dubbo, the 30-15 result was their most convincing win on the day.
Next-up was an 18-10 win over Forbes, the home side grinding things out in a low-scoring affair.
Thunder squared off with Dubbo again for their third match, a contest that panned out to be more competitive than the first, Tegan Dray's girls edging it out 30-21.
It was somewhat of a slow start from the hosts but defender Rhiannon Dennis praised her side's teamwork as they rallied together.
'We really started to get into the flow of things and show more patience," Dennis said.
We really started to get into the flow of things and show more patience.
- Rhiannon Dennis.
"There was more support if there was a mistake... we just carried on and kept playing."
Orange was made to work for their third win, Dennis admitted Dubbo is a 'pretty good' team, that played a physical brand of netball.
They put the finishing touches on the day with a 21-15 win over Forbes but going into that clash, Dennis didn't want her team to waste any time getting off the mark.
"We can do better with lifting ourselves at the start of the game," she said.
"We want to be more mentally focused."
Ally Kaufman and Abby Tilburg were among the side's best throughout the the second clash with Dubbo, but Dennis didn't waste any time picking her woman of the match.
"Em Williams was very 'I'm getting the ball'," she laughed.
In previous years, the winning side from this competition would progress to compete in the NSW State Cup but in 2021, there will be a mixture of the best players from across the Central West.
"I'm fine with them doing that," Dennis said.
"I feel like it's a good way to bring out the best in the competition. It's going to give other girls the opportunity to work together."
Orange went undefeated but Bathurst wasn't far off that feat, winning four from five games and perhaps declaring itself as the closest side to the Thunder.
Dubbo got one win on the board while Forbes weren't able to break through on the day.
Orange also went undefeated in division two, racking up four wins from four attempts, despite almost falling to Warren in a 20-18 nail biter. Warren was excellent as well as the two-point defeat was their only loss on the day.
Mudgee rounded out the winners list in division two as they produced a victory over Dubbo who weren't able to get on the board.
Lastly, in division three, Group 14 swept the board throughout the four-game card. Warren was against successful in this grade, its only loss coming against Group 14.
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