3rd XV Trial 4 Report
This was the final trial week for the 3rd XV competition.
The first of seven competition rounds starts next week.
TAS 1st XV 19 d High 1st XV 5 (Competition Round 7 played early)
TAS are the first team to score competition points with this competition round win over High. A great result for TAS after a slow start in the trials, but also a solid performance from High to score a try and keep the match competitive. TAS host defending co-premiers Riverview next week in Armidale while High travel to Shore for the first official comp round.
Riverview 3rd XV 17 d Scots 3rd XV 15
What a close match at Lane Cove with Riverview sneaking home by a conversion. It just goes to show how close this competition will be with just a few points separating View, Kings, Scots and Joeys in their trial matches. Riverview will need to be at their best travelling to Armidale next week while Scots face a rematch with Kings who they lost to narrowly in the trials.
Joeys 3rd XV 27 d Shore 3rd XV 10
I watched this match at Shore and it was very close for most of the time with the score 10-10 into the second half and literally anyone's game. Joeys ran in three good tries in the second half for a confident victory but Shore looked good for much of the contest. Joeys can definitely improve their discipline and structure, but a win is a win and I am sure they will be well prepared for Grammar in the first round next week. Shore host High at Northbridge and that should be a good contest as well.
Kings 3rd XV 7 d St Patricks 1st XV 5
This is a great result for Kings against the St Pats 1st XV. I said it would be a tough assignment and once again only a conversion between the two teams. Still, Kings will lift from this victory and will be confident travelling to Bellevue Hill for the first round match against Scots as they commence their shield defence.
Grammar 1st XV 45 v St Patricks 2nd XV 0
It's certainly good for Grammar 1sts to get a win on the board before the competition starts but very hard to tell their form as they have not played any other GPS teams in the trials. We only have to wait a week to find out though, because they host Joeys at Rushcutters Bay in the first 3rd XV comp round next week. Should be a cracker.
Kings 4ths d Newington 3rds
RugbynBeers reported that Newington 3rds were just beaten by Kings 4ths on the bell. I don't have the score but well done to Kings claiming a 3rd XV victory.
So now the trials are done and the 3rd XV competition begins. Four round 1 matches next week:
Shore v High
Grammar v Joeys
TAS v Riverview
Scots v Kings
Regards
INP