I am a High Supporter and someone well in the know at High.
Firstly, the team did not lose to Joeys 7ths. That is factually incorrect. Even though Joeys suddenly brought on new players towards the end. They still won that game convincingly. I was there. You are correct that they didn’t score a point last year in the GPS Competition however.
Most of the players last year (over 90%) were year 11 boys and they are all coming back. Physically they will be stronger and there will also be a 2nd XV team. Something we didn’t have last year. We started with only 23 players last year and with injuries we really struggled. We had to call on Year 10 players at times.
We have over 40 opens players ready to play this year. Playing numbers across the school have increased by nearly 50% this coming season due to a change in leadership.
You may be pleasantly surprised by the skill set of the 1st XV this year. They will be very competitive and will surprise a few teams.
Giddy Up,
I am very pleased to hear that High will be stronger this year and that will be good for the teams and good for GPS rugby. Please do not interpret my comments as criticism of the boys or the team.
And I apologise you are correct that High 1st XV did defeat the Joeys 7th XV last year in a trial by 22-14 on 14 May according to the GPS website. I had it the wrong way around.
Still I am sure you can understand my concern with a 0-355 for and against from just 7 games last year.
I was at Mackay Oval in 1973 when the High 1st XV defeated the Joeys 1st XV and went on to win the GPS 1st XV Premiership and have watched the unfortunate demise of High rugby over many decades, the reasons which are well known and have been discussed at length.
Fifty years later, it would be appropriate in 2023 for a resurgence of High Rugby which will be a great thing for High and the GPS.
Regards
INP