I still need reexplaining this apparent “rise” of Shore Rugby having won 2 out of 10 games last year (and a draw against Joeys missing 5-6 players injured, then round two upon their return were belted 38-17). This year they have won one game against a weak rebuilding Kings team by one try.
If Shore go on to win a 5-6 more games this year good on them, and I’ll be the first to congratulate them and the program. But all of this self described dribble of Rise of Shore is text book unproven Delusions of Grandeur at its finest.
Myself I doubt they’ll be competitive particularly in a 10 game comp when depth is king and Shore are lacking with a weak 2nd XV. Who besides three easy victories against Newington who have won one game in 4 years now. Shores only comp victory the past two years was one against Scots.
Happy to be proven wrong with results on the field but I can’t see them in the top half’s of the table this year, 4th at best.
As for Newington’s program having half of the team play NRL Harold Matt’s/SG Ball surely can’t help team off season training, preparation and even bonding for a GPS season in particularly for defensive lines and backs positioning. As people have stated both New and Scots have looked like individuals trying to win a game rather than a cohesive unit with a plan like joeys on Saturday. Both Scots & New will probably get stronger by round 2.
We will come back to this at the end of the season......
A strange dig saying they've only won 1 game this GPS season, there has only been two, and yet it was considered an 'upset' when Ignatius beat them on the bell. I wouldn't say Shore's 'rise' was very much validated by last season, but rather the 2022 season; 3 wins, 2 losses (loss to Kings in final moments and somewhat convincingly to Joeys).
I would also like to commend the Kings side of this year, this forum seems to have an altered perception of that team, a real threat with great talent, I see an upset brewing in their favour sometime this season.
Personally, I wouldn't say Shore 2nds are weak - beat Ignatius in round 1; 10-3, and then lost in the final plays against Kings, letting the game slip out of their hands due to silly errors (Kings trampled down the field to eventually score due to successive penalties).
As mentioned previously, this 'rise' of Shore rugby is not a really a rise to the top in the past couple of years, but rather a rise out of a slump in years prior to then.