Rugby Report

Riverview – Saturday 18 May 2024

Another cold and wet Saturday greeted the Round 1 GPS Rugby clash between Shore and Riverview. As is always the case with matches against Riverview, around the grounds we saw tough Rugby and an even split of results.

The 13A’s continued their strong start to the season, as did the 13E’s who also claimed their second win in a row. It was a mixed day for the U14s versus when we played Riverview last year, and there remains some work to be done to regain momentum. The U15s had a tough day at the office against a classy Riverview age group, and the U16s had an even day – the 16A’s started the matches on the Riverview #1 oval with a hard fought 5 – 5 draw.

As the afternoon became colder and greyer, the Third XV came out for their second last trial match before their competition starts. As would be the pattern of the day for the next three games, it was an arm wrestle of a match with the Thirds going down at the end by 8 – 10. It will be a great clash when they next meet Riverview at Northbridge.

The Second XV started their Competition in great style with a hard fought 10 – 3 win. Duncan Cowan was enterprising out wide and created many opportunities out of nothing and Josh Frape continues to impress in the forwards. Alex S’s try in front of the Shore crowd was a highlight, and the team will look to carry the momentum in this week’s match against King’s.

The First XV came out of the blocks and played into the wind in the first-half and quickly took an 8 – 0 lead. Riverview fought back and closed the gap with a try, and the arm wrestle of a game began. Shore looked to kick away in the second-half and win the territory battle, but some lapses at key moments allowed Riverview to stay in the game and take the lead to 8 – 10. A quick reply from birthday boy James W put Shore back in front 15 – 10. Ed B and Ethan Hamilton were mighty in the lineouts, and Lewis K and Jai Callaghan were a handful out wide all day and with 90 seconds left, Shore was attacking. However, sport can be a cruel beast, and in the last play of the day, Riverview had a scrum in their 22, which they then orchestrated into an excellent display of working the ball up-field…and scoring to make the game 15 – 15. Kick to come. They got it.

As painful as defeat is, it is when we learn the most. There are many lessons not only for the team to take from that game but also for every other Shore team. I hope everyone has had a great week training and is enthusiastic about tomorrow’s matches against King’s – always a round where there are even contests from our A – E teams.

Let’s get a huge crowd in the Hawker Stand to cheer their lungs out for all the Shore boys. It’s the best place to be on a Saturday afternoon in winter.

Go Shore!

Mr D Mason-Jones
MIC Rugby

Top image: Felix H, First XV

Team of the Week – Saturday 18 May 2024

Individual Team of the Week: Seconds

Shore vs Riverview

Forwards	Backs
1. George Scammell (16A)	9. Sam Hobson (16E)
2. Henry Baxter (15A)	10. Leo Crana (13B)
3. Henry Crooks (14A)	11. James Story (13E)
4. Josh Frape (Seconds)	12. Josh Clayton (Fourths)
5. Archie Tonkin (14B)	13. Tom Fuzes (16D)
6. Matt Lotz (Thirds)	14. Henry Pritchard (16C)
7. Harrison Thomas (13A)	15. Jai Callaghan (Firsts)
8. Ollie Brabin (Fifths)	Coach: Huw Blood, Ed Craig (Seconds)