3rd XV Round 2 Preview
The 2025 3rd XV competition season is well and truly under way following the first-round matches on Saturday 31 May. There are 7 rounds and the teams only play each other once, unlike the 1st and 2nd XVs, so every match counts and it’s a hard competition to win. Shore 3rd XV holds the Col Windon Shield from last year.
Round 1 Results:
Riverview 31 d High 0
Kings 27 d Scots 12
Shore 28 d Grammar 5
Joeys 24 d TAS 18
TAS 1st XV v Shore 3rd XV (11:00am on TAS Backfield)
TAS put up a very strong showing against Joeys at Hunters Hill in round 1, only losing by a late try. They have some fast outside backs and the necessary big forwards to challenge the other teams in this competition. But Shore also started well, defeating Grammar at Rushcutters Bay. This should be a terrific match in Armidale, and based on their good showing against Joeys, I think TAS can win this one at home on the glorious Backfield. But it will be close.
TAS by 3.
Joeys 3rd XV v Scots 3rd XV (11:00am on SJC #1)
Joeys are on the board following a win over TAS at Hunters Hill in round 1, and they meet a Scots team coming off a first-round loss to Kings. While it is only round 2, this is pretty much a grand final for Scots, as history has shown that it is very difficult to win this competition with two losses. Joeys found that out last year, and they will be looking to eliminate Scots by registering their second win in a row. I think they will be able to do that. I note that the Joeys 1sts and 2nds are playing later in the day at Riverview so this could be a quieter crowd than usual on SJC #1.
Joeys by 10.
Kings 3rd XV v High 1st XV (1:00pm on JS White Oval)
Kings opened the competition with a strong win over Scots at Bellevue Hill and are looking the goods for this home clash against High who went down to Riverview in the first week. High have definitely improved from last year but are facing a very promising Kings team that should have no trouble notching their second win.
Kings by 20.
Riverview 3rd XV v Grammar 1st XV (1:00pm on Riverview #1)
After a solid win over High in round 1, Riverview have a home fixture against Grammar who struggled against Shore last week. I did not see the Grammar match, but they will certainly need to bring their best here because otherwise they will also be facing two losses on the trot. I think Riverview will prove too strong at home and are likely to claim a second successive victory.
Riverview by 10.
Good luck to all players for round 2 of the competition.