There were some who were concerned the Astley Cup could lose some of its allure this year after the time-honoured tri-school tournament was abandoned in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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But anyone who was around the opening day of the tie between Dubbo College and Bathurst High School on Thursday could easily quell those worries.
Students were out in force and the passionate home town support spurred Dubbo College to the lead.
Dubbo led Bathurst 220-180 overall after victories in tennis, basketball, and netball on Thursday.
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Hockey was the only sport in which the hosts suffered a defeat and they're now in the ascendency heading into Friday's athletics, rugby league, and soccer matches.
"Our greatest concern heading in was whether they'd take on the tradition and they did that," a proud Dubbo College Astley Cup coordinator Craig May said.
"We're in a good spot but two years ago we're in the same position so there's no way we can get carried away.
"It was a good first day. The tennis was fantastic, the hockey girls gave it their all and were bloody unlucky, the basketballers played really well, and the netballers were really good when under pressure.
"But it is only day one and there's a lot of twists and turns to come."
The netball was one of the real highlights as the highly-regarded Dubbo side delivered on its talent and scored a resounding 43-18 victory.
Earlier the basketballers had scored a 38-26 win and the tennis was one 7-5 by Dubbo while Bathurst won hockey 4-2.
All those Dubbo students who took to the field and courts on Thursday were given plenty of praise by their teachers.
One of those teachers was Emma Corcoran, who is enjoying her first year at Dubbo College after growing up in the city.
Corcoran didn't compete in Astley Cup when she went to school in Dubbo but was all too aware of it growing up.
"My mum played Astley Cup when she went through school and now to be a part of it, I never understood the hype and passion involved in it but I love it," the teacher and Dubbo College hockey coach said.
The action on Friday starts with the athletics at 9.30am at Barden Park.
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Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
