Read More: The Complete Guide to the 2024 GPS First XV Season

Riverview struck late to beat Shore, Scots and Kings couldn’t be separated and Joeys were too good for Newington on the opening weekend of this year’s 10-round GPS first XV competition. Catch up on all the weekend’s GPS schoolboy rugby action below. 

Riverview 17-15 Shore

Riverview scrumhalf Angus Grover scored a crucial second half try, then kicked a match winning conversion after the full time siren to secure a 17-15 opening round win for Iggies over Shore. 

On a muddy deck, Shore made the most of their opportunities in a scrappy opening period and led 8-0 following a penalty goal and a try to flyhalf Rex Bassingwaighte from a well worked backline play near Riverview’s line. 

Both sides struggled to string phases together in tricky conditions throughout the first half, but Riverview looked dangerous each time they did. 

After earning a penalty to move deep into Shore territory, Riverview attacked from a five metre lineout and eventually crossed through flanker Henri Dempsey. 

Leading 8-5, Shore opted against kicking a penalty goal near the posts on the stroke of half time and found themselves trailing eight minutes in to the second half when Grover found a way through the visitor’s defence. 

After his side strung five phases together, Grover scooted from the base of the ruck, then sold a nice dummy to score an impressive individual try and give his side a 10-8 lead. 

Shore responded with a try from a maul in the 50th minute and leading 15-10, kept the play inside Riverview’s half. 

But with just minutes remaining, Riverview earned a penalty and kicked deep into Shore territory. 

The home side controlled possession under pressure and eventually found space out wide, allowing winger Ben Bousie to cross and level the scores on full time. 

Grover, who had struggled with the boot earlier in the match, calmly slotted the match winner from six metres in from the sideline to hand his side a narrow but hard fought round one win. 

Scots 12-12 Kings

Scots and Kings played out a gripping 12-12 draw at Bellevue Hill to open their respective GPS seasons. 

On a wet day, the sun poked out in time for kick off and Scots took that as a cue to attack from inside their own 22, opening the scoring in the 6th minute with a fantastic team try scored by fullback Jay McKenzie who backed up nicely on the inside of his teammates. 

Kings had limited opportunity in the first half and turned over possession from an attacking lineout in what was their only scoring chance in the opening half an hour. 

Scots moved the ball down the field quickly after that and claimed a 12-0 lead following a try out wide to winger Zach Fittler. 

Scots attacked first down the eastern touchline, then controlled possession through their forwards in the middle of the park, before finding space on Fittler’s western edge. 

Kings hit back on the stroke of half time when big No.8 Issac Fonua crashed over from close range during a rare visit to Scots’ red zone. 

With Scots leading 12-7, neither side bothered the score attendant for most of a tight second half. 

Kings won the territory battle in the closing stages though and their young forward pack attacked Scots’ line for the best part of 10 minutes. 

Scots goal-line defence was fantastic, but eventually Kings found space out wide and scored in the corner to level the scores with just minutes remaining. 

Both sides had opportunities inside their opponents half to win the match in the final minutes, but neither side conceded a penalty and the match ended in a 12-all draw. 

Joeys 24-12 Newington

Joeys scored four tries to open their 2024 GPS first XV campaign with a 24-12 win over Newington on a wet afternoon at Stanmore. 

The visitors opened the scoring with a clinical try in the 6th minute. Attacking from a scrum on the Newington 22 metre line, Joeys ran a midfield play, then recycled the ball cleanly and used quick hands to set up a five pointer for winger Ben Sleeman in the corner. 

They extended that lead soon after following a huge clearance kick which heaped pressure on Newington’s back three. After Newington failed to clear the ball from near their goal-line, Joeys flanker Johaness Logan scored soon after following a clever inside ball from lock Arthur Greer. 

The Newington centres combined nicely to set up winger Heamasi Makasini for the home side’s opening try on the 20 minute mark. 

But more slick hands from the Joeys outside backs led to a third try, scored by fullback Max Palmisani, and a 19-5 half time lead. 

The rain settled in after the break and the Joeys forwards controlled possession and territory well. After parking themselves deep in Newington’s red zone, the visitors eventually spread the ball wide and scored through winger Kynan Hart to claim a 24-5 lead. 

Newington scored a consolation try through hooker Connor Costanzo but weren’t quite able to replicate their strong trial form in the opening round.