My point is that the GPS has plenty of close games.
The 50 point blowouts from a few years ago have been replaced these last 2 seasons by close games between 5 evenly matched GPS schools. Even Shore have pushed the other 5 when they've been on song. It's been a fascinating closely fought competition.
I would question whether GPS has declined. I think the key difference is in the way a couple of the CAS teams have stepped up. Waverley teams of the past lacked match fitness and a game plan. This team by all reports (and results) seems to lack neither. Knox I will be able to assess next week.
I would further question whether CAS is getting the better of GPS this pre season.
Sorry to dampen your enthusiasm Inside Shoulder but I predict wins for both Newington and Scots next week as the GPS teams hit a full head to steam.
You heard it here first
To clarify a point ''Waverley teams in the past lacked match fitness and a game plan'' ........
Waverley teams lacked the cattle.
Last year all the planets aligned and they found themselves with an abundance of talent and depth. They very nearly made a clean sweep of all Open age group CAS Premierships, as well as claiming a couple of under age group premiership.
They had very good match fitness and coaching.
The last time they won a comp in 2009, they had the same coach: Paul Cornish.
They've won the CAS Henry Plume Shield in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2009 and 2016 as well as being runner up a couple of times (2013 being the last).
This year there is also an abundance of talent in the 1sts and 2nds. The pick of the crop in 1sts are particularly talented and they've played with each other for years. It's one of those real good crop of kids you notice coming through the age groups from time to time.
Two years in a row is a bonus.
The depth is pretty good as well.
They have the same two teacher/coaches as last year (Cornish and Scott Coleman); they're fit and play the same expansive confident running style of rugby as last year, backed up by strong defence with plenty of mongrel in their general play. They have the skills and physicality to execute that style of play.
From year to year, it's the cattle that has changed; nothing else. It's the players that are available to play.
After this season and for the next couple of seasons the crop of players coming through are not as well performed.
So in a couple of years time if Waverley are still playing the strongest GPS/CAS teams it will probably be a completely different story. They'll more than likely struggle.
Scholarships were mentioned before.
I cant see how a school like Waverley can compete with the best of the best, year in, year out unless they take measures to maintain a consistency of emerging rugby talent (young league players would fit the bill).
