GPS: Kings, Joeys & Newington claim opening round first XV victories

Kings opened their 2025 GPS first XV campaign with a tight win over Scots in a seesawing battle played in unexpected sunshine in North Parramatta. 

The home side jumped away to a 10-point lead early in the match, following a perfectly weighted crossfield kick by flyhalf Will Taylor, but it was Scots that led 21-17 at the break after scoring two long-range tries from inside their own half. 

Both sides crossed shortly after the break – Kings from some strong forward play and Scots from a Kings’ error near the home side’s try line – before Kings took control of the contest with back to back tries midway through the second half. 

The home side spread the ball and found space out wide, allowing centre Will Farrah to score in the 52nd minute. Kings’ then crossed from a pick and go try in the 60th minute to take a 36-29 lead. 

A superb Scots counterattack try late in the match set up a grand stand finish, but Kings were good enough to hold on and secured a hard fought round one win against their Eastern Suburbs’ rivals. 

At Northbridge, Shore’s title defence got off to a rocky start following a 33-17 loss to Joeys. 

Joeys jumped out to a 21-7 lead at half time following tries to Bede Fogarty, Kynan Hart and Ronan O’Connor. 

Shore responded with two tries early in the second half and reduced the deficit to just four points, but Joeys sealed the result with a second try to O’Connor late in the match and a fifth five pointer on full time. 

At Stanmore, some brilliant Newington goal line defence proved the difference for the home side against Riverview. 

Newington ran in four first half tries to lead 28-12 at the break before momentum swung behind the visitors. 

Riverview crossed twice to reduce the deficit to just two points and looked certain to take the lead after parking themselves deep in Newington territory for long portions of the second half. 

But Newington repelled Riverview’s attack, time after time and eventually worked play down the other end and scored from a pick and go to seal an impressive opening round win. 

In round two, Kings host Riverview, Newington travel to play Joeys and Scots take on Shore at Bellevue Hill. 



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