There were some surprises in the GPS this week: mainly in the scale of the victories.
Scots were joint champions last year with Newington and have looked rampant this season—could Newington rise to the occasion and compete how they did last year?
Riverview had won three out of three and were expected to have no trouble against Shore who looked likely to take the wooden spoon. Could Shore give them a game?
Joeys had competed well across their whole programme in 2014 but their 1st XV had lost their mojo for many years. Kings played well last week and were favourites to beat the Joeys Ones. Could they continue their rise?
Riverview v. Shore
by “The Spaceman”
In a day that might prove pivotal for both sides, Riverview scraped a victory against a desperate Shore outfit.
First half
The sun pierced through the clouds at Riverview in what most expected to be a heavily one-sided affair in slightly muddy conditions.
It was apparent that the Shore boys didn’t share in this view, as they ran out with a certain sense of desperation and intensity that seemed to shock the Riverview lads. However early territory to Shore highlighted that the View backline were confident with their abilities, running it out from their own in goal and making easy metres up-field.
At this stage I imagined that the game would be taken by the scruff of the neck by View, but some incredible defensive efforts from the collective Shore side, kept them ahead in territory and indeed possession. When the ball squirted out the side of the ruck around the halfway mark, a simple draw and pass to 15. Dom Naylor had him flying down the right flank, burning the outside backs and diving over in the corner.
0-5 to Shore.
This seemed to kick the Lane Cove boys into action; with a high-flying take from big man 5. Beau Petterson from the kick-off leading to some much needed possession for View. They then set-up a pattern of play with aggressive and effective round-the-corner running from the big dynamic forwards 1.Hosea Fotukava and 2. Evan Pritchard who made good metres.
This lead to an expansive backline being set to a large openside. After receiving a simple ball from fly-half Jack McGregor, 13.Henry Hutchinson jinked off his left foot and scored a simple try to the left of the sticks.
5-5, after 15 minutes.
Broken-play was hurting Shore with 15. Bill Freeman picking easy holes in the sliding defence, eventually leading to a try in the corner after some impressive passing and also a few defensive lapses from the Shore men.
12-5 Riverview.
With the usual Shore halfback Harry Emery injured, young Luke Rixon stepped up to the plate and showed poise and maturity in the role, slotting a penalty goal before the half.
Riverview 12-8 at oranges.
Second half
The second half was a rough and ragged struggle, with neither team able to build momentum or pressure.
Again View capitalised on broken play, with a hard running move cut down by some extraordinary cover defence by Shore’s 14. Will Connelly. View had numbers out to the right but butchered a sure try with a handling error midfield—a missed opportunity.
But View was back hard on the attack again after a tighthead from the ensuing scrum, and 3. Jack Bowditch crashed over shortly after.
Riverview 19-8 with 20 minutes left.
In a great show of grit and passion, the Shore boys didn’t hang their heads and stuck to their formula, maintaining possession and slowly trundling up the field. Winger Connelly ran an outstanding line to score for Shore making things closer: Riverview were still ahead but now by only 19-13.
Everyone at the ground could sense something big was going to happen, and on cue, Shore’s outside centre 13. Matt Dowsett produced the goods. In a little bit of open space he cut across field and drew in three defenders before chipping and chasing, snatching the ball out from McGregor’s grasp and strolling under the posts, right in front of the Shore crowd.
An amazing scene followed, with the Shore in the lead for the second time of the match and the whole crowd getting around Dowsett on the pitch.
GPS rugby at its absolute finest.
Shore was leading 20-19 with minutes to go. The collective heart rate of everyone rose; thumpety-thump.
However it was not to be for the Shore boys. After a little Shore knock-on from the kick-off View had a scrum to the left hand side of the pitch, and the fast-running and expansive back line constructed a try that was scored under the sticks.
Final score: Riverview 26 — Shore 20
The teams
Riverview
They weren’t that bad, but they weren’t that good either.
It’s not like they didn’t show up: I think it was more they were surprised by Shore’s impressive ability to tackle and hold the ball.
Their forwards could have been better and will need to be if they want to get anywhere near a rampaging Scots side next week. There is no doubt that Riverview is a better side than Shore, but it was debatable if they deserved to win the game.
Shore
Two things of significance were: firstly, Shore’s ability to hang onto the ball. Quick turnovers at crucial times had cost the North Sydney boys dearly in the previous games, but today they managed to string together phases easily, which importantly starved View of possession.
Secondly, it’s been mentioned that the Shore men have been brave in defence lately but today they were not only brave but they were also effective, especially in the tight against a much larger pack.
The players
Riverview
It’s tough to give a 3,2,1 this week for View, as no-one really stood in an average performance across the board out but……
3 Evan Pritchard – hooker
2 Henry Hutchison – outside centre
1 Jack Hayson – no 8
Shore
3 Luke Rixon – halfback. Called for him last week to be given a chance and he was great today; didn’t really put a foot wrong despite a few loopy passes and some silly decisions. He’s got a great boot on him as well.
2 Will Connelly – winger.
1 Jum Woodhill – openside. Such a passionate performance by the flanker today, inspirational leader.
Wrap Up
I’m almost treating this as a Shore win. That being said, if everyone played to their potential, Riverview are a strong team but I don’t think they’ll be strong enough to beat Scots: it could get ugly.
Photos by Lee Grant
See next page for a report of Kings v Joeys
