1st XV; Scots def View 30-19. View 1sts not on point today, too many mistakes, Scots turned up. Well done to Scots.
Full time, View 19 - 30 Scots.
Of the 5 Scots tries, one was a dropped ball straight after kick-off, one was a strange bounce in front of the VIew wing, and one was a runaway following interceptions.
You are new to Rugby? Get used to such things.
Some question Shore's rugby programme but it is really no worse than these Newington returns. In fact, Shore won more games against Newington than they lost. It's on the way back. Headmaster Parker doesn't see 1st XV priorities like Headmaster Mulford. He is an academic and HSC results are in the frame more emphatically. The IB defence isn't working any more. Newington's rugby landscape is about to change more than most anticipate. What has propped it up for years is non-sustainable and is coming to an end.
I would note that the 4th XV and 7th XV results were both based on 30 minutes of football
Tough day at Hunter's Hill for the Newington 1sts and 2nds as reality hit them head on.
Amidst the wreckage of the day there were a couple of pieces of good news for Newington boys and supporters
16A Newington def Joeys 17-10
14A Newington Joeys 26-7
Also a couple of the lower age or open teams had wins against offset Joeys teams.
Hello Quick Hands (& Black&White),
Having watched several years of Newington rugby supremacy not that long ago, (coinciding with Joeys Decade of Drought), I can remind everyone that rugby strength across the schools is cyclical. Newington and Shore both have strong age groups coming through that will prove this to be true.
What is a concern however, is the ever-decreasing number of boys that appear to be playing rugby at Newington. With the U16 age group at Newington only to go down to 16C, and that team to be comprehensively beaten by Joeys 16Es illustrates this point.
It is extremely difficult to build a successful rugby program without depth of player talent.
As you would be well aware from my previous posts, I am fully supportive of a strong GPS rugby competition across ALL schools, and so these trends should be a concern to us all.
Regards
Its Not Pink
Well said INP. Unfortunately for us as traditional GPS rugby fans in general, there are more options than ever for winter sport which has a diluting effect on the strength of rugby numbers. The AFL and soccer teams seem to grow at our schools which is a concern, the AFL in particular has been aggressive in building their school market.
School rugby depth does directly impact the effect on a successful rugby program and helps feed a successful culture.
Personal opinion is that larger boarding numbers help school rugby numbers, as the boys are always looking for an excuse to play some form or rugby outside with their mates. Keeps them sharp, helps with fitness, skills and familiarity of how member's of their team will interact on Saturday.
3rd XV competitions against the competition favourites Grammar.