NSW GPS 2015 rugby season review

The teams

Newington – equal first

by “rugbycheersquad”
No one at Newington was sure what to expect from this season. Those in the know were sure there was going to be some good players in the 1sts but were unsure how they would mesh or measure up as a team in the competition. The attitude of the young men and staff, though, was always positive

The team ended up meshing very well indeed, playing a style of hard, uncompromising 15-man rugby. However, they struggled to maintain focus through entire games and sometimes allowed other teams back into the match.

The team was ably led by Cameron Murray as captain and each week, there was more than one stand out player. They played for each other, they played for their school and they played for the love of it.

They were involved in some epic encounters that really tested their mettle. In round 5, against Riverview, they led 38-36 with two minutes to play. It was there to be lost but a try on the buzzer secured the win. This was then followed by a 17-all draw with Scots in round 6. And who will forget the come-from-behind win against Riverview in the final minutes last weekend to cement their place in GPS history as joint-premiers.

Best players (in order): 1. Cameron Murray 2. Teu Atiola 3. Campbell Clifford

Scots – equal first

by “Crackerjack”
A 3-peat 1st XV Premiership*, the first time achieved in Scot’s 123 years of proud Rugby history, speaks volumes of the quality and tenacity of this team, their coaches and their collective ‘never say die’ approach.

More than anything, they played their hearts out for each other, every game. Epitomised in memorable come-from-behind encounters (especially in tighter ‘second round’ matches) when other teams might’ve folded. They were able to re-gather, work hard through the full 70′ and secure favourable results. “Brave hearts, Bold minds”**, indeed.

Across the paddock, the team was blessed with strength, speed, skill and great structure, with fine leadership and match-winners seemingly on tap. Blooding a number of Year 11’s in the top flight, their forwards garnered skills and confidence through the season and their backline blossomed into lethal combinations of hardness at the ball and precision-timing.

These young men played an exciting, hugely entertaining brand of Rugby that sees them as deserved 2015 co-Champions*.

Best players: 1. Charlie Smith 2. Dan England 3. Dylan Woods.

* 2013 and 2015 Premierships shared by Scots and Newington
** Motto of The Scots College

Joeys – third

by “Lee Grant”
Joeys won the Catholic contest in the opening match, against Riverview, but were brought back to earth in the next two games. Although their losing margins to Scots at home, and Newington at Stanmore, were small, they were battling for third spot thereafter.

Winning their next three, they had a sniff provided they beat Scots in the return match. But lacking their Australian reps, magician Tom Wright and forward leader Tom Horton, they surrendered a big lead and lost.

Their three losing margins totalled only 14 points, and they won their final three matches, including the return match against Newington, but these matters did not improve their ladder position.

Joeys showed their traditional strengths of blue heeler forwards who backed up ball runners and fizzed around the park energetically. But they didn’t dominate physically in the tight stuff as well as the two teams who finished above them—with or without the ball.

Their scrummaging was below average on occasion and this led directly to their loss against Newington and their crunch return match away against Scots. Their lineout was patchy also.

Most of the backs showed marked improvement during the season, despite their passing and catching being problematic.

Best players: 1. Thomas Wright 2. Tom Horton 3. Tim Clements.

Kings – equal fourth

by “Azzuri”

Having added a wooden spoon to the cutlery drawer in 2014, hopes were high at North Parramatta that season 2015 would bring a change of fortunes.

With highly experienced campaigner John Warr being drafted in to lead the coaching team and a great cohort of talent to draw from, the pre-season vibe was upbeat, with trial match performances confirming the team was certainly on track for a better showing in 2015.

The quality of the Kings cattle was confirmed by the selection of 13 Kings players in this year’s GPS rep squads. This included three players (Nick Brown, Dylan Pietsch and Harry Chapman) going on to represent NSW Schools and one (Harry Chapman) being selected for the Australian School Boys squad.

The focus this season was all about building for the future and reinforcing the brand of Rugby Kings wanted to play. In many games they were in the hunt early and caught some of the more fancied sides off guard with their aggressive ‘in your face’ style of never say die rugby.

While this did earn them the respect of their opposition, they had trouble maintaining the rage for the full 70 minutes and this led to two score line blow outs against New and Joeys.

Finishing the year one place higher in the table than last year is a sign that Kings are on the right track and 2016 will see at least 7 of the first XV returning and the remainder of the squad being drawn from a great 2XV and 16A cohort.

To quote the Taoist Philosopher Lau Tzu “the journey of a thousand miles starts with just one step” and many at Kings are justifiably looking back at the 2015 season wrap up as the first step in a positive journey for 2016.

Best players: 1. Dylan Pietsch 2. Harry Chapman 3. Joey Skelly.

Riverview – equal fourth

by “Byron Williamson”
To sum up Riverview’s season in one word, I would have to say that it was, to a large extent, one of misfortune. Injuries struck Riverview constantly throughout the season, especially in the forwards, where every week there were at least two or three players who could have, and should have, been out there competing.

However, Riverview’s positivity and perseverance led to some outstanding individual and team performances this year. Despite placing 4th in the competition, they were neck and neck with the heavyweights of the competition, being narrowly defeated by Scots, Newington and Joeys.

Led brilliantly by their Australian Schoolboy fly-half Jack McGregor, the boys in blue and white stepped up to the plate in the big-game situations, with the younger boys especially having a huge impact.

The hard-running of forwards Charlie Rorke and Michael Fenn allowed the backs quick ball and some great running rugby ensued all season long. Tom O’Reilly proved to be a juggernaut on the wing, ending as the leading try scorer of the competition despite only playing eight games.

The team should be immensely proud of what they have achieved this season, through thick and thin, they provided a challenge to every team they faced, and were just pipped at the post on multiple occasions.

Best players: 1. Jack McGregor 2. Michael Fenn 3. William Terry

Shore – sixth

by “Gary Owen III”
“Character Building” would be an apt description of the Shore season for 2015. Most punters had them picked for a tough season from the outset, but their form in the trials was encouraging.

As the GPS competition began so too did the injuries. Only FIVE of the Shore troops managed to play all 10 rounds and a total of 30 players made the starting line-up through the 1st XV season.

On the field the boys showed, that despite some unflattering scores, they didn’t lack the passion nor commitment of any of their rivals. The Shore crowd can also take a bow. It is a credit to their support and loyalty that quite often they outnumbered their opposing fans despite being on the wrong side of the scoreboard.

The first few games of the season were actually rather close with tight losses to Kings and Riverview. Then the wheels fell off somewhat as injuries and classy opponents made final score lines look uncompetitive.

But they ended their season with a cracking final game against Joeys. The score of 28-12 didn’t reflect how close this game was and the Shore lads showed true pride and passion.

All the players should be proud of their efforts and remember it is a great achievement to take the field in a GPS 1st XV – Well done.

Best players: 1. Fergus Bragg 2. Lachie Patrick 3. Rory Suttor

The Second and Third XVs

There were also official Championships for the Second and Third XVs

Seconds

This was a tight struggle.  Joeys had won a few games clawing their way back, or just managing to hold on.  At the end of Round 7  Newington were just one game behind and went to Hunters Hill in Round 8 determined to draw level with their main rivals, but they were soundly walloped.

The Joe Boys looked home and hosed for the Championship but they were shocked when an excellent visiting Kings’ side beat them 27-21 in Round 9.

It all depended on the last game of the season but Joeys had a convincing win against Shore to clinch the Championship outright.

Thirds

This competition included First XVs from The Armidale School, Sydney Grammar School and Sydney Boys High School, who don’t compete in the the GPS competitions against the First and Second XVs of the other six GPS Schools.

The Championship was a three-way tie last year between Armidale, Grammar and Scots. Grammar lost only one game in 2015 and that was to Joeys, this year’s winners.

Joeys was a premium team, even within the school; they were undefeated and in their eight games scored 361 points compared to only 20 against.

To see the GPS team of the Year and some special awards click on this link here