Stage is set for big finish

The stage is set for a thrilling finish to this year's Astley Cup after Bathurst High School scored a resounding win over Dubbo College Senior Campus on the second last day of competition yesterday. Bathurst High School heads into the final day of competition holding a 180 point lead after crushing Dubbo in four of five of events, which kick-started with James Church and Avantika Basu's 9-7 win over Dubbo's Alan and Tim Armstrong in the tennis. But the hosts came into the third round chasing Dubbo at some 450 points ahead, so another outstanding day is vital for Bathurst High to clench the coveted cup, according to Astley Cup organiser Grant Hanrahan. "We've gotten off to a great start in the third tie with several wins lifting our daily points tally to 290 over Dubbo's 110, but it's going to be a big ask of our kids to wind back the deficit," Hanrahan said. A strong start to the tennis helped set the pace for Bathurst High School who cruised to a 56-36 point win in the netball. The 20-point win made possible through goal keeper Rachel Cumming and goal defence Fiona Hanks who proved deadly in the shooter's ring against a rapidly deflating Dubbo. The girl's tear-away netball performance was then emulated by the Bathurst High School boy's basketball team who crushed Dubbo 84-17 at the Bathurst Indoor Sports Stadium. Defenders Hayden Ellis, Chris Gale and Trent Grantham held Dubbo out of the shooter's circle for most of the match, while Bathurst's Kyle Curry stepped in to add to some early three-pointers to the score. While the win was expected it could cause some headaches today for the Bathurst High School rugby league team who will be down a player after Gale fell and twisted his ankle. "Dubbo is favourite to take out the football, and they easily accounted for Orange by some 60 points," Hanrahan said. "It means we're going to have to be spot on in the soccer if we're going to be a chance." Bathurst easily accounted for Dubbo after they almost whitewashed the visitors 9-1 late yesterday afternoon. The action continues today when athletics gets under way at the Bathurst Sports Ground at 9.15am. The Bathurst boys' and girls' soccer teams do battle with Dubbo at Proctor Park from 11.30am and 12.50pm respectively, while Dubbo will look to keep its 2006 Astley Cup record intact when they meet Bathurst High in the rugby league from 2.15pm at Carrington Park.