The Dubbo squads made the trip knowing a win over Orange High School would secure the famed cup for the first time since 2011 after a victory over Bathurst was recorded last week.

But things didn't start well as Orange ran out dominant 11-1 winners in the hockey while there was also success for the hosts in netball and basketball.

Dubbo College continued its proud record in rugby league by scoring a 36-16 win and that result provides some hope heading into the tennis, athletics, and the boys' and girls' soccer on Wednesday.

Overall, Orange leads 240-160 heading into day two.

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The day started with Orange's massive win in the hockey before Dubbo got itself back into contention with the rugby league win.

But the hosts, cheered on by a strong home crowd, finished the day in style by winning the netball 57-42 and the basketball 44-33 to take complete control of the tie.

"We just crumbled down," Dubbo basketballer Marc De la Cruz said.

"Their defence was good and we just couldn't make shots. The crowd probably had an impact as well."

Both the Dubbo netballers and basketballers made the trip to Dubbo in a positive frame of mind after wins over Bathurst last week but Orange was another challenge altogether.

Much of the damage in the netball was done by Orange's attacking duo Poppy Keegan and Lilly Mitchell.

Captain Keegan was pleased her side was able to score such a commanding win and put itself back into a commanding position.

"We got off to a rocky start but we definitely put things together," she said.

"I think it was just to keep going as we wanted to hold it to that lead and get as many points as we could so we were trying to push each other."

Speaking of her partnership with Mitchell in attach, Keegan added that "we played for like three years so it's a good combination and I love it."

The lead ballooned out to double digits early, but the visitors were able to keep Orange in check for most of the second half, before a few quick scores at the end pushed the final margin of victory out to 15.

Their ability to not give up pleased Dubbo captain Isabella Attwater.

"We knew it was gonna be a tough one from the start but just to keep it the lowest margin as we could was the goal for us," she said.

"We just didn't want to get flogged, I suppose.

"I think everyone did their job really well and it was a really good team effort."

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