Rugby Report
Saturday 16 August 2025
Shore vs The King’s School
We love Old Boys’ Day at Shore Rugby. For the fourth year in a row, the Shore First XV was victorious on Old Boys’ Day at Northbridge. Next year, each week will have an Old Boys theme!
And more than just the First XV, Shore teams across the entire board came out firing. I am not sure what the Headmaster said at Assembly last week, but it worked. From the very outset, the first games at Northbridge showed Shore teams play with great energy and execute on plays in an impressive way. Watching the first games of the 16Es and 14Es illustrated this from the outset. Some very strong set piece play, good passing and tackling on display and plenty of points being scored by Shore. The 16Es finished off their 5th win in a row on Saturday.
In all games against The King’s School (King’s), Shore won 17 games, Drew 1 and Lost 8. Northbridge proved to be a fortress with Shore teams winning 78 percent of all games played against King’s there.
On A Ground the Year 12 boys were determined to go out in style. Wins for the Seventh, Sixth, Fifth, Fourth, Third and First XV sides saw them win but also win in style. These teams played their best games that I have seen, and it was a joy to watch some of the enterprising tries being scored. A shout out to Oscar Lau and some great chip-and-chase tries and to the Sixth XV for executing on the try of the year by performing a lineout move in the middle of the field (stolen from the Springboks) and executing on that perfectly.
Our 14As continued to show why they are going to be a force to be reckoned with by winning 26-5 over a King’s side boasting many representative players. And our 14Cs finished a superb season on Saturday – only losing one game all year (and only just losing that)! They had an incredible Term 3 with 120 points for to only three against. Congratulations on a marvelous season to Mr Morris and the 14Cs, a team characterised by strong culture, tough defence, and a love of training. Such depth bodes well for Shore’s future.
Our 13As had a 10-10 draw on Saturday, reversing a 14-31 Loss in Round 1 against King’s. Let’s take the next step in 2026 boys.
And to one of the wins of the day – the 16As triumphed on the buzzer on B Ground and calmly slotted the conversion to win the game. This was a well-deserved victory for a team that has played great footy every weekend and often not getting the rewards they were due. An excellent example of never giving up, and wonderful to see so much Year 10 support on the sidelines.
First XV
The scene was set for the final round of the GPS season. King’s had been pre-season competition favourites and Shore had come so close on many occasions in the year, only to be denied. Who would rise on the final weekend?
The first half was a tough encounter. Shore had the wind and used it well but failed to grasp their opportunities in the attacking zone. King’s on the other hand did convert their attacking raids and Shore went into the half time huddle down 0-12.
With it all to play for and with the pundits against them, Shore came out well in the second half. After 25 minutes of the second half, no scores had been registered by either team. With 10 minutes to go, there was a sense that Shore was the fitter side and the big King’s pack was tiring. With the blue and white army in full voice, Shore lifted a gear. Phase after phase of attacks finally ushered in a try to Anderton Stock after he crashed over the King’s defence. The score was now 5-12.
From the kick-off, Shore gathered and attacked again. Some clever play down the left edge saw a smart ball to Nick Wendt who weaved his way around the King’s defence to score another. The conversion was missed, and the score was now 10-12.
Once again, Shore gathered the kick-off well and attacked. Bodies were getting tired and the crowd on the edge of their seat. Attack after attack. Finally, Shore was on the King’s line but wait… the referee spotted an infringement against Shore and King’s had the penalty. The coaching staff sagged thinking that was the end of the game. But no. King’s did kick the ball out and had a lineout opportunity, however cometh the hour, cometh the man and Josh Frape stole the ensuing lineout in one of the ‘clutch’ plays of the season. Shore had the ball again and looked dangerous. A penalty to Shore. What to do? A kick for goal was decided and Rex Bassingthwaighte stepped up with the weight of Shore on his shoulders. With everyone holding their breath, Rex slotted it over the black dot. Game done. Shore wins. What a game.
Saturday represented the first time Shore had its full leadership team play a whole game together in the season – our formal leadership group of Charlie Francis, Charlie Galligan, Rex Bassingthwaighte and Anderton Stock and our spiritual leaders in Bede Clout and Jai Callaghan. All six boys had huge games.
A great way for a Year 12s to finish their time at Shore Rugby. No one will forget Charlie Francis’ tackle (and then pilfer) on a rampaging King’s forward in the final ten minutes. Surely one of the plays of the season and a moment which helped turn the tide. No one will forget Digby Hockey’s bump on his opposing winger or Rex’s cool kick. No one will forget the call of “Beeeede” when Bede took the ball to the line. No one will forget Ando’s try to get us back in the game or Frape’s lineout steal to keep us in the game. And therein lies what is great about school sport. No Premiership this year for Shore but a year where memories were made, friendships forged, and lessons learnt. Let’s go again next winter.
Team of the Week
- A hard one here, however I think this needs to be shared between the First XV and the 16A XV. Both had almighty wins on the bell after tough seasons. True examples of teams that never gave up.
- Honourable mentions to the 14A XV who defeated a heavy rep-based King’s side and the 16Es who had the best lineout of all Shore teams on the weekend.
- Second honourable mentions go to the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth XV who had their best games of the year.
Team of the Year
- Has to go to the 14Cs. Only one loss all year and a team filled with many characters and Shore boys who love their jersey.
Thank You to our supporters
Whether we are going for the Premiership or going for a first Competition win, Shore supporters support. This attribute of supporting each other in all our endeavours is one of the best qualities in a modern Shore boy. Whether in the Hawker Stand, by the pool, in the Smith Auditorium supporting Drama or celebrating HSC All-Rounders, let’s always get around our community and friends.
Results
| Results vs King’s (TKS) | ||
| W | D | L |
| 17 | 1 | 8 |
| Shore | King’s | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st XV | TKS | W | 13 | 10 |
| 2nd XV | TKS | L | 8 | 27 |
| 3rd XV | TKS | W | 24 | 12 |
| 4th XV | TKS | W | 29 | 12 |
| 5th XV | TKS | W | 38 | 12 |
| 6th XV | TKS | W | 39 | 0 |
| 7th XV | TKS | W | 43 | 12 |
| 8th XV | TKS | L | 5 | 31 |
| 16A | TKS | W | 28 | 26 |
| 16B | TKS | L | 7 | 53 |
| 16C | TKS | W | 15 | 5 |
| 16D | TKS | W | 50 | 14 |
| 16E | TKS | W | 57 | 7 |
| 15A | TKS | L | 19 | 34 |
| 15B | TKS | W | 28 | 17 |
| 15C | TKS | W | 24 | 12 |
| 15D | TKS | W | 40 | 17 |
| 15E | St Aug | L | 21 | 10 |
| 14A | TKS | W | 26 | 5 |
| 14B | TKS | L | 21 | 41 |
| 14C | TKS | W | 47 | 3 |
| 14D | TKS | W | 45 | 38 |
| 14E | TKS | W | 72 | 15 |
| 13A | TKS | D | 10 | 10 |
| 13B | TKS | L | 12 | 17 |
| 13C | TKS | L | 21 | 22 |
| 13D | TKS | L | 10 | 31 |
Mr D L Mason-Jones
MIC Rugby