On Thursday morning, Bathurst will kick-start its title defence when it hosts Dubbo, which also marks the beginning of the 96^th edition of the tournament, thought to be one of the longest-standing inter-school competitions in the country.

Bathurst has won four of past six titles, claiming victory in 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2017, and has won 25 overall while Orange last tasted success in 2016, the most recent of its 42 titles.

A 22-time winner, Dubbo last won way back in 2011.

Although he didn’t taste success as a student at Bathurst, Lachlan Blaikie has watched his troops earn plenty if it since joining the school as a teacher.

The now sports organiser says he and the entire school are champing at the bit for this year’s edition too.

“It’s massive and the whole school loves it. They all look forward to it,” he said.

“The whole community also gets around it, which is good.”

There’s a distinct State of Origing feel about the annual tournament, Blaikie said, with school pride a key factor.

“There’s a lot of rivalry between the schools,” he said.

“I know come this time of year, the kids who play each other on the weekends, they start to talk up the rivalry with kids from other schools.”

While he admitted it’s always tough to predict any outcomes, Blaikie suggested his school is well-placed in a number of sports, including hockey where Orange has been dominant in recent years.

“We’ve got some state hockey players, our boys’ [football] team has just made the region final against Dubbo College and our girls are going really strong in the [football],” he said.

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“I think those three teams will go well but our rugby league team took out the Western region final. They’ve got a strong side.”

Of course it’s not just about the Astley Cup either, Blaikie pointed to Bathurst’s Mulvey Cup debating team – also the defending champions – as a strength too.

“Our Mulvey Cup is doing really well,” he said.

“It’s hard to pick anyone. We’re in a really good situation to take out both the Astley and Mulvey Cup.”

While the Mulvey Cup may be one of the less talked about events on Thursday and Friday, that doesn’t mean those competing in it will be taking it lightly.

“A lot of sporting talent is on show at Bathurst but getting the academic talent involved is really brings the school together,” Bathurst vice-captin and Mulvey Cup debater Maddy Masters said. 

She said the rivalry in both cups brings out “peak performance”.

“The whole school gets involved in the rivalry, even if they aren’t competing. It’s a really awesome feeling,” she said.

“The hype is awesome and it’s like nothing else in Bathurst.”