A Wild Weekend

Around the Grounds of AAGPS Rugby Round Four

F. A. Loxton

AFTER LAST WEEK’S SHARE OF CLOSELY FOUGHT BATTLES, ROUND FOUR OF THE GPS COMPETITION WAS SET TO BE HUGELY TELLING, WITH THE SHORE FIRST XV FACING NEWINGTON, KINGS PLAYING SCOTS, AND RIVERVIEW PLAYING RIVALS JOEYS AT LEICHHARDT OVAL. Round four also saw the First XV teams showcasing Indigenous jerseys as the GPS community celebrated Reconciliation Week.

Looking to continue their promising form, competition leaders Kings faced Scots at Parramatta. Establishing an early lead through their talented backline, Kings became complacent, seeing Scots come back to make it 29-19. However, the side’s forwards stepped up once again to recover the score to 48-26 before inside centre Boston Fakanua was red-carded for tackling a player in the air. In the end, Kings won comfortably with a score of 58-26, although Fakanua will be crucial for their upcoming fixtures, so it will be interesting to see if the card is followed with a suspension.

In the most highly anticipated fixture of the round, Riverview relocated their home rivalry against Joeys to Leichhardt Oval. With many players from both sides playing in last year’s clash, both sides were as ready as ever to play in what will most probably be the biggest crowd a schoolboy team will experience all season. Matched evenly in the opening, Joeys claimed a 7-5 lead before Riverview struck to go into half-time up 12-7. The second half saw Riverview take control of the game, securing a 26-21 win. This sees Riverview second placed second behind Kings on the ladder and Joeys remaining winless after four rounds of fixtures.

TThe final match of the round saw Shore travel to Stanmore to face Newington, who were coming off a strong win over Joey’s at Hunters Hill. Making a strong start, Newington scored two early tries off strong backline moves, with winger Tom Farr-Jones and fullback Tallis McEwen making strong line breaks. This dominance continued through to the end of the first half with Newington leading Shore 28-0. The second half once again proved a challenge for the First XV although they struck with a try to Angus Molchanoff. And, in the closing minutes, Lapina Ita scored an impressive individual try to secure Newington the win at home. This leaves Newington still as dark horse contenders for the premiership and Shore with some work to do with some challenging upcoming fixtures.

Following round four of the competition, Kings look as dominant as ever going into a clash against Joeys, Riverview continue in winning form with a clash against Shore at Northbridge approaching, and Newington will look to maintain momentum as they face a struggling Scots side.