3rd XV Round 6 Report
What a day it was today in the 3rd XV competition with only two teams now having any chance to win the premiership and no possibility of it being shared. Grammar had the expected win over High and remain on top of the table. Then Shore upset Scots to move a point ahead of them on the table and remain a single point behind Grammar. Only Grammar or Shore can now win the premiership since they play each other next week. Scots are done for the year and will be polishing the Col Windon Shield to hand back. Joeys and Riverview both had good wins but cannot catch the leaders in the final round. Shore v Grammar next week becomes the 3rd XV Match of the Year - winner takes all.
If Grammar beat Shore next week, they win the competition by at least two points.
If Grammar draw with Shore next week, they win the competition by a point.
If Shore beat Grammar next week, they win the competition by a point.
Competition Table after Round 6
Grammar 10
Shore 9
Joeys 8
Scots 8
Riverview 7
Kings 4
TAS 2
High 0
Shore 15 d Scots 14
What a result at Bellevue Hill in the match of the round! It keeps Shore alive in the premiership and ends any chance Scots had to retain the Col WIndon Shield. Even if Scots beat TAS next week, the most they can get to is 10 points and that will not be enough. Shore have completed half the battle - beat Scots then beat Grammar to win the premiership. Well done to them. They now face Grammar at Northbridge for the title.
Grammar 57 d High 0
An easy win as expected, and Grammar are now in pole position to claim the premiership next week with a win over Shore. Grammar have played brilliantly since their single loss and can be the outright premiers with a win or draw next week. High host Kings for their final match in what has been a very challenging season.
Joeys 35 d TAS 3
Joeys had no trouble in Armidale defeating TAS on Backfield. The win moves Joeys into equal 3rd with Scots, but just short of a chance to claim the premiership. Even if Joeys beat Riverview next week in their final match, the best they can finish is equal second. TAS have had a challenging season as well and they host Scots in Armidale for their final match.
Riverview 15 d Kings 0
I did predict this result, as I think Riverview have been thereabouts for the last few weeks and Kings did not show much against Joeys last week at Hunters Hill. So Riverview v Joeys will be a great match in the final round, even though neither of them can win the premiership this year. Kings are highly likely to finish the season with a victory though, as they play High at McKay Oval.
What a day it will be next Saturday. I think I will be popping down to Northbridge to see if Shore can win their first official 3rd XV premiership since 1951 or whether Grammar can claim the shield that they last won in 2020. Should be a cracker.
INP.